AS CONGREGATIONS, WE have tried about everything…

…meetings, lectures, Vacation Bible Schools, “Operation Doorbell,” city-wide campaigns, television and radio programs, bus ministries, building buildings, and hiring preachers with sex-appeal.  Some have even followed cultic schemes of “discipling” and instituted unscriptural tactics of evangelism.  Many have thought that growth comes naturally, or that, through the employment of slick media methods or “get if for you wholesale” tactics, the noble purpose of the Lord could be realized.  Now the time has come, having tried every modern method known to man and having imitated the “numbers-mad” denominations, to read the Lord’s instructions!  “When all else fails,” they said, “read the instructions!”

Here comes our Lord giving us the very specific and powerful means to penetrate the world: 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5.13-16).

Jesus considered the way to penetrate the world was with light and salt.  These two avenues, He says, are a demonstration of the most powerful and overwhelming arguments for Truth: a good life, a life full of good works.  Good Christians, living a good life and doing good works before men, penetrate the world!  Along with this, someone has said that there are five powerful things in the world.  The fifth most powerful thing is an idea.  The fourth most powerful thing is an idea that is true.  The third most powerful thing is the truth of God’s Word.  The second most powerful thing is the truth of God believed.  But the most powerful thing in the world is the truth of the Living God believed and put into practice!

For too long, we have been salting ourselves.  We have been lighting the church.  The Lord says salt and light are no good unless they get out into society, into the world, where lost men and women live and die.  Salt penetrates the food, preserves the food.  Light penetrates the darkness.  Leaven penetrates the bread to make it rise and good to eat.

This is our Lord’s way of telling us that every member of the body of Christ is to be involved in soul-winning, penetrating the world.  We can all live good lives.  We can all do good works before men so that they can glorify and know our Father in heaven.  He calls us all, not only to be busy doing something, but to be busy being something.  Mac Layton, “Jesus’ Supreme Goal: Great Outreach,” How to Build a Great Church, 113-114

Mike Benson