" Behave the Gospel ! "

 

Matthew 5:14-16 "Ye are the light of the world, A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your FATHER which is in Heaven."

     A southern Preacher once said, "There are two parts to the Gospel. The first part is the believing it, and the second part the behaving it." "Believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). How true are those WORDs ! We, most definitely, are called to be witnesses for CHRIST and to declare the Gospel message with our lips. JESUS told HIS disciples, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). The Apostle John wrote in 1st.John 4:14, "And we have seen and do testify that the FATHER sent the SON to be the SAVIOR of the world." This word "testify" means "to be a witness, bear record," which involves using one's voice to present that witness. It is imperative for sinners to hear the proclamation of GOD's WORD, especially the message of salvation. Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel of CHRIST, for he realized that it was "the power of GOD unto salvation" to those who believe, Jew or Gentile (Romans 1:16). The hearer must believe this Gospel message in order to enter into the blessing of the good news of salvation.

     But we dare not neglect what our lives say as they "preach" -- either upholding the message of truth or "speaking" in contradiction to everything we verbally express. JESUS instructed HIS followers to "let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your FATHER which is in Heaven" (v.16 pictured at the top of post). According to the Scriptures, we who seek to be witnesses for JESUS CHRIST, having believed the Gospel, are now to behave the Gospel. We are to "walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8 second picture from top of post) and "walk worthy of GOD" (1st.Thessalonians 2:12 pictured above). Our walk must support our message. JED

Your servant in CHRIST

Julie

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