Contagious Christianity
Posted by: ba <ba@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Straight to the Cross
COLUMN: The X-Files
Contagious Christianity
by Mitchell Skelton
When my oldest daughter woke up this morning to
get ready for school, she was complaining of a
sore throat. It is not like her to want to miss
school. She has perfect attendance so far this
year. However, this morning she stated that she
just did not feel like going. I was able to secure
an appointment for her with the family physician
first thing this morning and wouldn't you know,
it's strep throat. The doctor explained that she
would be contagious for at least another twenty-
four hours, anyone who comes into contact with her
is potentially exposed, bad news for the Skelton
household. As we traveled back to our home I
started to dwell upon the past twenty-four hours,
did I share a drink with her? Have I been exposed
to this highly contagious disease?
What about your level of contagion as a Christian?
Jesus said that as Christians we should live such
lives that we literally "infect" those around us.
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt
loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty
again? It is no longer good for anything, except
to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the
light of the world. A city 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 men,
that they may see your good deeds and praise your
Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:13–16).
While I don't think Jesus had in mind contagious
diseases when he was preaching the Sermon on the
Mount, he definitely had in mind the principle. A
little salt in a pot of beans makes for some very
good eating. Jesus said that his followers were to
be the salt of the earth. Our lives should be
lived in such a way that we make a difference in
the lives of those around us. If we are not having
that effect then Jesus says we are "no longer good
for anything."
Jesus also uses light as an example of contagious
Christianity. It doesn't take much of a flame to
light up a dark room. Light chases away darkness.
When Christians live their lives and spread their
influence to the world around them, darkness
(evil) is driven away! We don't put our
Christianity on display to receive the praise of
men, instead we do it so that God will be
glorified.
The good news for the Skelton family is that once
the antibiotic kicks in then the contagious phase
of strep throat is finished. The bad news for
Satan is, there are no antibiotics that can "cure"
a contagious Christian.
Let us make the effort each and every day to
"infect" someone with Christ!
----
Read this article online, tell us what you think,
see who's commenting, click here:
forthright.antville.org/stories/727703/
----
You can help us get the word out. Here's how:
forthright.antville.org/stories/340415/