ng, we do more harm than help. Maybe we’re trying to bring an unwilling spouse to church or to convince a neighbor to trust God, but they don’t want a Jesus who seems condemning or forceful. They’re much more likely to turn to a Jesus who loves them just the way they are, who is gentle, who serves them in their needs. Verses 14 - 16 tell us to be a light that others cannot help but notice. What kind of light? One that blinds? Of course not. In John 8:12, Jesus says “I am the light of the world.” Jesus is within us; His glow should be what others see when they look at us. We are not to hide our relationship with Him. An effective Christian is one whose faith is visible, whose glow is the love that comes from Christ, and whose good deeds glorify the Father because they are accomplished through the love of Christ. Notice in verse 14 that Jesus calls us a “city.” We are not to evangelize alone. A city is a group of people: a parish, a family, a church organization. Being Christian means being in community. When our light is joined to the lights of others, our collective glow is much brighter, much more effective in revealing the love of Christ to the world. Why? Because nonbelievers become convinced that the love of Christ is real when they see us living out that love with each other: unconditionally, generously, with a servant’s heart (see Acts 2:42-47). Questions for Reflection and Discussion 1. How can you identify people whose lives are lacking the full flavor of Jesus’ love? And how can you season their lives with the love of Jesus that is in you? 2. In what ways have you over-salted someone by trying too hard or too often to evangelize? What were the results? 3. What obstructs the light of Christ that glows within us? It should shine through us so brightly that others are converted just by being near us. Why aren’t they seeing Christ in us? What blocks their view of Him? What...
