May 2nd

May 2nd

What does it mean to invite people to “COME AND SEE”? It doesn’t necessarily mean words. Yes, words are fine, literally inviting people to church or biblestudy is good, but it is not limited to that. Actually, an invitation of action is much more effective.

Our words don’t mean much if our lives are not reflective of our words and our words mean more if our lives truly reflect what we say we believe. So, action is a very effective way that we can invite people to come and see. This is no different than the whole rest of our faithwalk. Think about it. We are called to live what we believe. Our salvation is an inward event that has an outward effect as we are changed from the inside out. Baptism is an outward symbol of what has taken place in our hearts by the blood of Jesus. It is our way of proclaiming outwardly what has taken place on the inside. Over time this change becomes more and more evident as we are changed more and more into who He created us to be through sanctification. We are to shine more and more light to the world around us. Light is inviting. Think about it, on a dark night a light in the window is inviting. A porch that is well lit is even more inviting than a dark one.

We are called to be inviting. We are called to let our light shine. We are called to live our faith…full of grace and seasoned with salt.

James 2:14-18 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Colossians 4:5-6 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

So IS your light on, creating a warm invitation to COME AND SEE? Or are you like a house that is dark and boarded up, looking empty, abandoned, and run down or maybe inhabited but surrounded by bars and fences to keep people out? How can you begin to display the glorious grace that Jesus has provided you?

We are to live out our invitation to COME AND SEE. How are you doing at this? Sometimes we need help. Ask the Lord to show you how you can be more inviting.

Jesus, Thank you for your amazing love and grace toward me. Help me to reflect that in my life. Help me to put feet on my faith and live what I believe so that others are truly touched. Thank you for not leaving me the way I was when I found you, or the way I was yesterday. Help me to walk in the path that you have created for me and help me to live with your purpose in mind instead of having my eyes so focused inward or on my own life. Help me to be aware of those I can reach. Thank you Holy Spirit for working in me.