Going Public with Jesus

Christians who know their Bible know their faith isn’t a private matter. Publicly telling others what Christ Jesus did for us and what He means to us is the focal point of why we’re on Earth.

Sons and daughters of the living God bear witness—by word and deed—to the goodness of God to those far from Him. 

In describing our role as His followers, Jesus calls us salt and light. In doing so, He tells us our lives point to something different—something greater.

Salt makes people thirst for the joy, peace, patience, and love found in following Christ. Salt makes people thirst for the living water He offers.

Light replaces darkness, and Jesus is the light of the world. Only He can shine the light of hope into a pitch-black world, and light-bearing Christians have this light shining in their lives.

I suspect going public as salt and light is what Jesus meant in Matthew 5:15.

"'Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house.'” -Matthew 5:15, AKJV

As lamp stands or candlesticks for Christ, we give light to all by telling others about the life-changing power of a relationship with our Savior. But sometimes, we dismiss this as our responsibility because it’s not comfortable for us. We think to ourselves, “Others are better at talking about Jesus. I will just witness with my life since I’m not really good at talking to people about my faith.”

Thoughts like these have great consequences on our relationship with the King of Glory. In these thoughts, I think we miss His best. 

Let’s look at what God’s Word says about going public with Jesus.

"[A]nd I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ." -Philemon 1:6, ESV

These are powerful words from God that reveal a strong correlation between sharing our faith and the Holy Spirit teaching us about the good things that belong to us in Christ.

It seems to me that the joyous truths offered to Christ followers can only be unlocked by publicly living as salt and light. This means we must verbalize the redeeming love of Christ Jesus to those we come in contact with.