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Be Light, Not Heat

Be Light, Not Heat

It will never cease to amaze me how we will stand by and do nothing about social change, yet constantly complain from both the pulpit and the pew on our society’s shortcomings. For some reason, we think that Christians shouldn’t be involved in politics.

That’s not the way Jesus felt. Jesus often debated with the Pharisees, and He spoke out when He saw things that needed change. Jesus also commanded Christians to be the salt and light of the world. The key purpose of salt in New Testament times was to preserve. As Christians we are the salt of the earth when we do our part to preserve Godly morals and leadership in our country. We are the light of the earth when we do so with grace, love and mercy just as Jesus would have.

If we want change to occur in our society, then we must step out of the pews and go into the world and make it happen. I’m talking about standing up and taking action—not street corner rallies or public condemnation, but a Biblical approach to change.

So what is the Biblical approach to change? I believe the story of Queen Esther illustrates it best. You see, when Esther wanted to speak up on behalf of her people, she didn’t rant and rave in public, calling the King godless. She didn’t even attack those who were opposing her and the Jewish people. Rather, she asked her people to fast and pray. Then after approaching God first, she approached the King and asked him to spare the lives of her people.

So the people fasted and prayed, and Esther approached the King. And guess what? The law was reversed, and the Jewish people were saved.

With that model in mind, don’t you think it’s time for a change in the way we do things? We aren’t going to promote or encourage change by bashing those who don’t share the same convictions as we do, nor are we going to make a difference if we plant ourselves away from the political arena. Real change will come when we stand up instead of sitting down and we do something instead of complaining or even worse—not caring.

It’s time to get involved. We aren’t going to change things in our society by giving a commentary from the bleachers. Things change when you get off the bench and get into the game. Run for office. Write a letter. Make a phone call. Type an email. Start a petition. Pray. Things won’t change if Christians keep silent and let the world do all the talking.

So many times the Christians that do stand up are, in Ravi Zacharias’ words, the ones who end up generating more heat than light. We need to be the salt and light of the earth while still making our voices heard. This means not attacking individuals or even their convictions, but letting our politicians know our opinions and asking for change.

You may think nothing you will do will make a difference, but you’re wrong. Politicians are voted into office by the majority, not the minority, and they know that. If every Christian out there called their local house representative and let them know their opinion on outstanding issues, then things would change. Most of the bills that are currently being passed into laws are not approved by the majority, but they are still being passed. This is occurring because the minority who wants it passed is much more vocal than the majority. It’s time that the majority took a stand.

It’s time for us to get involved.

I want to make a challenge to you. There are many issues that are facing our countries that need to be covered in prayer and need to be addressed. We can’t count on someone else to do what we should be doing. So get out there and make a difference. Watch the newspapers, be aware of what is going on around you, and if you see something that is wrong and needs changing, don’t wait for someone else to do something. Do it. Write a letter, make a phone call and most importantly, pray. If every person reading this would commit even five minutes a day to praying for their country, imagine what could happen!

We have been blessed to live in a place that has so many freedoms, let’s never take that for granted. Let’s be thankful and mindful at the same time and go out there and make a difference.

[Kristen McNulty is 20 years old and resides in Timmins, Ontario, Canada, where she hosts the Making A Difference Christian Radio Show.]

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