Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser
Throughout the ages, God has consistently called His people to be a light unto the nations; a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. We are not meant to merely exist within the confines of our own communities but to boldly proclaim the good news of salvation and to touch the lives of those around us with the hope and love of Christ. As a Christian, you are called to be an agent of change, to be God’s hands and feet, bringing hope, compassion, and healing to those in need. It’s a calling that demands courage, sacrifice, and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone. And it requires you to embrace the same mindset that Christ embodied – a heart that is moved by the suffering of others and a desire to see lives transformed by the power of the Gospel. Be reminded that you and I are in this world for such a time as this, and be encouraged to heed to God’s clarion call to impact the world.
Believers are here for the world. We are in this world but not of it. We are here to bring Christ to our world, letting Christ work within us and through us. Jesus praying for believers in John 17 said “Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” And in John 20:21-22, Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
We represent Christ as his ambassadors and because of that, we have a reason to be in this world. We don’t have to let things happening around us or the things happening in government, society, schools, etc., distract us. Neither should we place our hope in these things. Our hope must come from understanding our position in Christ Jesus and the purpose for our existence on this earth.
The Bible discusses the importance of light, with Jesus referring to salt and light and emphasizing the need to not conceal a bright light. In Matthew 5:13-15, Christ makes the profound statement that believers are salt and light. 13“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavour, 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.
This directive is notable for its aim to touch the world and bring glory to God. We are therefore placed in this world for such a time like this. Believers of all ages should focus on letting their light shine in this dark world to bring glory to God. Sadly, however, today believers remain broadly uninfluential in many areas of society. In contrast, historically, the early believers influenced society right after they received the Holy Spirit. The unbelievers said, ‘Oh, these people are filling Jerusalem with their doctrine,’ “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” (Acts 5:28).
How is it possible that believers are concealing their light in this era? Is it because we don’t know who we are and what we have? In fact, it says here in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new”. The word behold means stop, consider, look upon, ponder and make it your own. So, it says “behold,” which means to stop, realize, consider, and ponder this, and make it your own, because the new has come. You’re no longer of this world, which grants you the ability to connect with and influence it uniquely.
" Don’t compare yourself to others. Look at the word of God that declares who you really are in this world. "
Believe that you can still touch the world irrespective of what’s going on around you. Colossians 2:9-10 says “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” This is talking about Jesus. In Him dwells the fullness of God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The fullness of the Kingdom, the power, the might, and the ability are all in Jesus, and it says you are complete in him. That means because of Jesus you have been made complete in him who is the head of all principalities and Powers. Therefore, no matter what is going on in the world, you are in Christ who is over everything. This doesn’t mean that lost people still don’t do lost things, rather, it means that the truth and the spirit of God in you have the ability to rise above those things.
You need to have the right attitude and perspective and not be like everyone else, whining about everything. Instead, say to yourself, “No, I’m going to stand up in my relationship with God. I will let the spirit of God motivate me and stop focusing on the flesh, but instead look at the spirit, so that I can have a word in due season.” You’re at the right place at the right time with the right word. Why? It’s because you have a living relationship with the Living God. This tells you that you have the absolute world-changing power that lives in you. I’ve met many people in my lifetime who believe they have no potential, and this prevents them from stepping out with boldness and confidence. What they do is constantly observe their surroundings, while the enemy tries to undermine them by suggesting that they cannot sing like someone else or do certain things, and therefore, they cannot touch anyone.
Stop looking around at everyone else and look at the Spirit of God. Don’t compare yourself to others. Look at the word of God that declares who you really are in this world. You can say I’m not of it, but I’ve been destined for it; therefore, you can take on the Great Commission mandate. In fact, that’s what Jesus said here in Mark 16:15-20. It’s the call to the Great Commission, a call of duty to touch the world. “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
He said to them, go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone. This is really powerful and important. So many people say, I’m not a teacher, a pastor, or an evangelist. This isn’t about a title. And you don’t need to have the office of any of the five-fold ministries. Don’t assume that individuals in these positions bear all the responsibility. The Great Commission instructs us to preach the gospel and to go into all the world. This means reaching out to those across the street, at the market, in our places of employment, at our kids’ schools, and even at our granddaughter’s nursery. It also includes going on mission trips around the world.
So, whether it’s across the street, around the corner, or over the ocean, they’re all the same. Being a missionary is not a special calling. We put all the special emphasis on it and we say ‘Oh this is a special calling’. No, it is a condition of your heart that’s what going on missions is, and that’s what being a missionary is. You have the mindset and perspective that you possess something the world needs. And let me tell you, if you touch one person, you can touch a generation. You touch one mom and you touch her kids. You touch your kids and you touch their friends and contacts. You touch the grandma and you touch her grandchildren because she’s going to preach to them. So, it’s how you interact, and how you realise that if you can get that employer, he will touch all his employees. You touch the college PE teacher and you‘ve touched every single PE class. Stop limiting God on who you can influence. You’re called to touch the world. How do you touch the world? Touch the world with the person in front of you right now!
