From Dream to Deliverance
Saturday, October 2, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for saving me by Your grace. I did not deserve nor earn salvation on my own, but you gave it to me. I want to praise Your name for all that You have done. I ask that You would help me to be able to extend Your grace to others by doing good works. I want everything I do to praise Your name. Help me to be the salt and light to others as You have called me to do. In Jesus' name. . . Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Matthew 5:13-16
13 "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make salt useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 You are the light of the world -- like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. 15 Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. 16 In the same way, let you good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."
Reflecting on God’s Word
According to verse 14, what is the image that Jesus uses to describe a Christian's witness?
According to verse 16, how does one "let their light shine?"
What is the result of letting others see our good deeds?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
What does Jesus mean by "good deeds?" What are they?
Should we do good deeds to bring attention to ourselves? Why or why not?
Understanding God’s Word
Are we saved by doing "good works?"
If a Christian does not do good works, are they a Christian?
Read Ephesians 2:9-10 and explain how we are saved, and how "good works" relate.
Applying God’s Word to Our Lives
What are the "good deeds" that others see in your life that draws others to Jesus? Give examples.
Why do you do these "good deeds?"
What are some things that you can do today to help someone see God's love and grace?
Thoughts...
This past week we have looked together at Matthew 5:13-16 to understand what Jesus meant when He said that we are "salt" and "light" to the world. Jesus used these images to describe our role as Christians within the community and culture that we live in. Matthew 5:16 says that the way we can "shine" for Jesus is to do "good deeds." This subject has often been misunderstood by people throughout history concerning the nature of salvation. We are not saved by doing "good deeds" (works), but we are rather saved by God's grace. We could not earn salvation by ourselves, nor do we deserve it. God, however, extended His wonderful grace so that we may be saved. Because of this salvation, we as Christians are called by God to show His grace to others by doing "good deeds."
It is vitally important, if we desire to let our light shine for Jesus, that we live God loud through our actions. 1 Peter 2:12 says, "Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God when He comes to judge the world." Others need to see how much we care for them. The old statement, "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care" -- still rings true. As you go throughout your various activities of the day, be careful that you let your light shine through your good works. We do not do them simply to be noticed ourselves, but rather that God alone may be glorified.