Written by Chuck Swindoll, these encouraging devotional thoughts are published seven days per week.
Does it seem important to you that Christ calls us what He called Himself? "I am the Light of the world" (John 8:12). "You are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). Servants of Christ shine with His light in a society that is hopelessly lost, left to itself.
Jesus says that believers are "salt to the world" (Matthew 5:13 NEB). Our very presence halts corruption...and preserves society.
A society characterized by savage violence and the darkness of depravity and deception will, without a preservative, deteriorate...and, ultimately, self-destruct. Because servants of Christ are like salt on society, our influence is essential for society's survival.
Need a picture of just how hopeless and empty society really is? Just glance over 2 Timothy 3. Within the first 13 verses, I find three undeniable descriptions of our world: difficult, depraved, and deceived.
The late Peter Marshall, an eloquent speaker and for several years the chaplain of the United States Senate, used to love to tell the story of "The Keeper of the Spring,"¹ a quiet forest dweller who lived high above an Austrian village along the eastern slopes of the Alps.
Ours is a tough, rugged, wicked world. Aggression, rebellion, violence, cutthroat competition, and retaliation abound. Not just internationally but personally. What is true in the secret council chambers of nations is also true behind closed doors of homes. We are stubborn, warring people.
"In the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Servants, that statement will help us call a halt to the next pity-party we are tempted to throw for ourselves. We are not alone. Persecution has been going on for centuries.
Realistically, wrong treatment often comes upon those who do what is right. We who genuinely desire to serve others soon discover that being mistreated isn't the exception. It's the rule!
Quietly and calmly he put his hand on my shoulder and whispered, "But Chuck, that wouldn't have been fair. That wouldn't have been very loving, either—now would it?"
"Blessed are the peacemakers," Jesus said (Matthew 5:9). Interestingly, this is the only time in all the New Testament that the Greek term translated "peacemakers" appears. Maybe it will help us understand the meaning by pointing out first what it does not mean.
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