“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” –Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

 “It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.”  --St. Francis of Assisi

 A couple of very zealous Christian students noticed a frazzled-looking husband and wife sitting in a car with a flat tire.  As the students walked up to the car, the more extroverted of them said something that went like this:

“Hi.  We see you have a flat tire.”  After pausing for dramatic effect, the student went on, “Did you ever stop to think what would have happened if you’d slammed into that telephone pole over there and been killed when your tire blew?”  After pausing once again to let that grisly image sink in, he inquired, “If you’d died, do you think you would have gone to heaven or hell?”

The unhappy driver and his wife were both nearly speechless with the shock of their accident, and what they perceived as an unprovoked “evangelistic” assault.  But eventually the husband reined in his temper long enough to mumble something like, “Thanks for your concern.  Please don’t worry about us.”  After this exchange, the young men abruptly walked away, no doubt thinking they’d given the unfortunate couple some deep spiritual truth to chew on.  Perhaps in their minds they’d just had a great “witnessing” experience.  Sadly, these students who apparently felt such deep concern for the couple’s eternal destination didn’t seem to care enough to offer any help in changing the flat tire!

Instead of drawing the couple closer to Christ with their provocative questions, the students’ unwitting insensitivity had planted seeds of resentment against Christ and his church that could have persisted for many years.  Fortunately there’s more to the story.  Our friend Steve tells us what happened years later when he met up with the same couple.

“I was sad, and a little disgusted on God’s behalf, as my two friends angrily told me the story of the ‘flat-tire evangelists.’  At that point I’d been quietly trying to get to know this couple, and for several months we’d been talking together about spiritual questions they had.  As they relayed the flat-tire story, the new question on their minds went something like this: ‘How can some Christians be so obnoxious?  And why are you so different . . . so much friendlier?’”

The good news is that instead of simply being victims of a “drive-by evangelism attack,” the couple had a contrasting experience with Steve—one in which they were truly able to see the overflowing love of Jesus.  Steve had been persistently reaching out and modeling openness, honesty, and respect to them.  He’d listened to their questions and criticisms of Christianity without becoming defensive or pushy.  And though Steve was very open about his faith, he was a fun person and real friend.  In fact, not very long after the conversation above, the couple started attending a course for religious skeptics offered at Steve’s church.  They still have many questions but they’ve realized that they want Jesus in their lives.

We wonder what might have happened if the college students had rolled up their sleeves and offered to change the couple’s tire before attempting to question their eternal life. The students might have had a better chance to make a positive connection—one in which real dialogue could have naturally unfolded without anyone feeling attacked or condemned.

James put it this way, “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions?  Can that kind of faith save anyone?  Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well” –but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing.  What good does that do?” (James 2:14-16).

If your goal is to share the love of Jesus with those closest to you, doesn’t it make sense to lead off with friendly actions and follow up with loving words?  Like Steve, you can help those around you—even those who’ve had unpleasant experiences—see Christ and his church in a different light!

Light and Salt 

Jesus said, “While I am here in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5).  And on another occasion he explained, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).

So which is it?  Is Jesus the light or are we?  The simple, straightforward, only somewhat confusing answer is, “We both are!”  One of the reasons Jesus came to earth was to shed light on the true personality and character of God.  When the Apostle Philip asked him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied” (John 14:8).  Jesus replied: “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am?  Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!” (John 14:9).

Jesus lived to reveal the contents of God’s heart to us, as a lamp exists to reveal the contents of a darkened room.  Without Jesus, we can’t really “see” God or our true selves.  You can’t live as God intends without his light any more than you can walk a perfectly straight line in complete darkness.  Without light, you would perpetually stub your toes on hidden obstacles, fall down and hurt yourself, or worst of all, wound others.  But in the time it takes to flip on a switch—or offer a prayer—Jesus’ light can dispel darkness and show you the path ahead.

Our lives have no inborn light source of their own, but when we follow Jesus closely, we reflect some of his light.  Maybe you’ve run into a few people in your life who seem to shine with hope and compassion.  They light up any room with friendliness and joy reflected from their inner connection with God.  Steve, our friend in the story earlier, is one of those people.  The couple he was reaching out to saw and felt God’s kindness reflected through him.  This is what Jesus was talking about when he said, “A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14b-16, NIV).

Apparently, unlike the moon, which reflects the sun’s rays whether it wants to or not, it’s possible for us to hide or eclipse the light we’ve been given.  But why would we ever do such a thing?

Well, for one, light in the darkness draws attention like orange blossoms draw bees.  If you shine with the light of Jesus, like it or not, you’ll be noticed.  You’ll bring attention and praise to the Father in heaven, and—even if you don’t mean to—you’ll draw attention to yourself as well.  This wouldn’t be so scary if you could perfectly reflect the Savior’s light all of the time, but—frail human creatures that we all are—you probably have a few flaws and weaknesses you’d rather hide in the shadows than allow others to see.

As wonderful as the light is, it does have a habit of revealing blemishes and flaws in such a way that makes them hard to ignore.  Just as the sun reveals the craters and fissures on the moon for all to see, so Jesus’ light will have the tendency of revealing your weaknesses and imperfections.  The more light that’s in your life, the more you’ll find yourself having to acknowledge your transgressions and, like King David, confess, “For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night” (Psalm 51:3).  Though God certainly loves you—pimples, warts, muddy face, and all—that doesn’t mean you always like what you see in his perfect mirror.  In some ways, hiding your light under a bushel is akin to a 2-year-old with a dirty face closing her eyes and pretending she’s invisible instead of allowing her parents to wash her face.  As a grown-up, you probably know that if you hide your problems from yourself and others, they’re more likely to get worse than to go away on their own.

There is something incredibly attractive and fresh about people who readily admit and fearlessly address their besetting faults—people who, with God’s help, work to overcome those faults.  Though it’s not something religious people are typically known for, being open about your struggles and vulnerable with your weaknesses, gives others permission to admit they need help in some of the very same areas.  As you continually come to God for help and begin living in ways that overflow with his goodness, others will notice there’s something different going on in your life.  Like it or not, friends and family members will probably be the first to notice.

They’ll be watching and perhaps even testing your resolve to become more like Jesus.  Barbara told us this story about Robin, the family babysitter her little son and her whole family nicknamed “Bin Bin.”

Barbara had been raised in a tight-knit Jewish community where she picked up the idea that non-Jews and especially Christians were never to be trusted.  Barbara describes how the light Bin Bin brought with her, changed how Barbara thought about Jesus:

Bin Bin is everything I’m not.  She is quiet, self-effacing, and intensely shy.  Normally I wouldn’t have paid much attention to her, but during my son’s first year, she became very important in my life.  On many occasions she would drive all the way across town to drop off a prescription for me or just provide a few quiet words of comfort.  After months of benefiting from her quiet kindness, I finally asked her why she was so different.  She told me it was Jesus, and for the first time in my life, I really listened.

Bin Bin was different from anyone I’d ever met—Christian or Jew.  I wanted to discover what made her so special, so I started attending her church.  I knew the events of my life were converging to a single moment.  I finally surrendered my heart to Bin Bin’s Jesus.  Now I just want to reach out quietly, gently, and unobtrusively for God’s glory, just like Bin Bin!

There was no hard sell, no provocative turn-or-burn confrontation here.  Robin just let her light shine.  And even though she was shy, when the opportunity came to explain why she was so different, she bravely stood up and gave all the credit to Jesus.  Robin’s story demonstrates what Peter was talking about when he said, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect” (I Peter 3:15-16a, NIV).  It’s amazing how many well-meaning people miss both the “everyone who asks” and the “gentleness and respect” parts of this verse.

We’re not saying words aren’t necessary, just that usually they need a context in which to be understood and received.  If you love friends and family members in practical ways first, while living your faith openly and honestly in front of them, they will start to have questions.  If they see you working to forgive those who wrong you, loving people others ignore, and following Jesus in other ways that “aren’t normal,” they’ll become curious.  They’ll wonder what’s wrong with you . . . or what’s right with you.  Either way, people who are asking questions are much more open to answers than people who are simply having answers forced on them, whether they care or not.

Overflowing with God’s love and joy will invite questions and open opportunities for you to share your hope with those you love.

Of course, one really big reason many of us are tempted to hide our lights is because we’re afraid of others judging us.  Though most are drawn to it, not everyone enjoys the light of Christ.  Sometimes even the kindest and most loving behavior can irritate people or rub them the wrong way.  Maybe this is why Jesus gives us yet another picture to describe Christians: “You are the salt of the earth,” he said in Matthew 5:13.  Like light, salt is something every human being needs to be healthy.  It adds zest to our lives and savor to our food.  And anyone who has ever gargled salt water for a sore throat knows that it has healing properties.  But anyone who has gotten salt in an open wound also knows how much it can sting.  If you love Jesus, and don’t hide it, the fact is you will draw praise from some and harsh criticism from others—some people you will sting.

A number of those whose lives bear open emotional wounds—especially those who’ve had negative experiences related to religion—can react harshly to salt.  They may mock you or attack you even as you seek to unselfishly serve them.  There is a spiritual battle going on inside their souls, and you can easily get caught in the crossfire.  You’re likely to catch flack that has more to do with their past experiences and prejudices than anything you’ve personally done.  If you’re not being preachy and judgmental, then it’s not your fault if your salty behavior stings them and triggers anger and defensiveness.  Though it’s no fun to be on the receiving end of negative reactions, we want to encourage you: please, do not stop.

Before Dave asked Jesus to come into his heart, he was often nasty toward the Christians who tried to befriend him.

Even though the Thief was working overtime to try and keep me miserable, my longing to receive their kindness grew in spite of the chilly reception I continually gave them.  It’s strange how angry resistance and confused longing can live so close together inside the same person, but that’s how it was with me.

Those “dorky Christians” showed me such great love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that I got thirstier and thirstier every day.  Though I tried to reject them and drive them away, it was only a matter of time before I began asking questions and seeking God for myself.

I hate to think what might have happened if they’d given up.

Being light and salt isn’t just something you do—it becomes a fundamental part of who you are.  You are the light and you are the salt as you let Jesus work in you and as you let others see what he’s doing in you.  As you tap into his fountain and allow his life to pour through you and overflow into the lives of your family and friends—you’ll become different.  And because you’re different, you’ll act differently, too.  A big part of that change is developing an empathetic and understanding heart—something we’ll talk more about in the next reading.

Getting Your Feet Wet

Think of a family member of a friend you would like to reach with a small touch of God’s love.

Tell God who you are thinking about and ask him to help you come up with some small action that could communicate his love to that person.  It could be an invitation to lunch, an offer to go fishing, or just a phone call to say, “I was praying for you and wondered how things are going in your life.”

Whatever idea comes to mind, don’t put it off; go ahead and give it a try and see what happens.

The Reflection Pool

Think of a negative and positive experience you’ve had with Christians—how did those two interactions affect your perception of Jesus and the church?

• When is it hard for you to be salt and light to those around you?  Why do you think that is?
• What can you do tomorrow to be salt and light to your family and friends?