"You are the light of the world. A city located upon a mountain can not be hid. Neither are they burning a lamp and placing it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it is shining to all those in the house. Thus let shine your light in front of men, so that they may perceive your ideal acts and should glorify your Father Who is in the heavens"
Matthews Account 5: 14-16, Concordant New Testament
I've often thought that knowing the Lord was simply a matter of reading scripture and believing. Sounds simple, right? To believe in the Father is to know in ones heart that He is Who He claims to be. Yet the question remains, how will the world know Him? As Christians, we believe that He is all in all, that everything that we see was created by His spoken word {Johns Account 1:1-3}. But what of those who have never believed in Him? How is it that the Father will reveal Himself unto them? In the film Come Sunday, the bishop Carlton Pearson questions the traditional church theology that those who have never known Jesus would suffer an eternity in hell. How is it that someone who has never even been introduced to the gospel of Christ be punished for not accepting it? For his beliefs, bishop Pearson was removed from his position in the church. But this does not answer the question. How is it that a world who has never known the Father be introduced to Him? Sure, Jesus has been sort of a well known figure in history, but how many truly know Him? Trust me, Jesus is much more than a memory in a book. It is Jesus who has proclaimed the answer to the question, 'Let shine your light in front of men, so that they may perceive your ideal acts and should glorify your Father Who is in the heavens" {Matthews Account 5:14-16}. What was He referring to? Well, in the book of John we see Christ described as "The Light of men" {Johns Account 1:4}. The apostle Paul has spoken of Christ Jesus who lives in him {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}. So, if it is indeed Jesus in Whom we live, and I believe this to be true, then it is indeed the light of Christ that is within us. It is Jesus Who proclaims that we are to let His light within us shine before the world. In other words, they will know the Father through those who know Him. This is not such a radical concept, as the greatest desire of the Father is that He would be known by His children {Johns Account 17:3}. While the world may push us away from knowing Him, it is the Father Who seeks that relationship with His children.
In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you
Johns Account 14: 20, Concordant New Testament
The mainstream church spends millions of dollars each and every year on its various ministries. There are music ministries, young people ministries as well as countless others. Typically, the message of these ministries is to bring the message of the gospel, or the churches rendition of that gospel, into the community around them. When I first committed myself to my fitness journey, I wanted to have someone at the gym who I could connect with. Someone I could talk with and develop a friendship with. I did this more out of having motivation to go to the gym than to showcase the Father to those around me. But that quickly changed. For that one person has now grown to include over forty friends with whom I share my journey with. These are my so called "Gym Rats." Along the way, I have found many ways to introduce the Father into the lives of those who may not have ever known Him. This is my light of Jesus shining before men. I have personally been witness to some people who one would never have thought would ever have a conversation about God suddenly open up and talk of Him with me. I have been approached by more than a few of my friends asking me to pray for situations in their lives. Would these Gym Rats ever have known the Father if not for me being there among them? Maybe, but I now know that God has brought these friendships into my life for His purpose. It is His light that is shining through me. I am His heart extended.
~Scott~
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