Christians have the ability and responsibility to influence the world for good. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet (Mt 5.13 – ESV).
We are to bring the flavor of God to a bland and bitter world. David challenged, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Ps 34.8 – ESV).
What makes Christians different? How do we influence others for good?
Ultimately, it’s when we become like Christ and are conformed to his image (Rom 8:29) in the way we think, speak, and act. It is in the gracious words we say; the kind and sacrificial deeds we do; the sincere attitude of humility and forgiveness we portray; the unwavering trust and faith we display in God always; and the inner peace and joy we have that cannot be taken away regardless of our circumstances.
When we really live like this, people notice. Some won’t like the light we shine in their dark places and will actively seek to keep us quiet. Some will be indifferent and treat us as odd background noise. But others will see Christ living in us and desire to know more as they come to realize we have something they are missing. We have divine purpose in our lives. Our lives have meaning beyond the grave. We have a peace and joy that can only be found in Him that sees us through the difficulties of this life because of the hope we possess of the life to come.
May God use us to influence others to “taste and see” that the “Lord is good.” That they, too, can realize their true purpose and meaning in life as God designed and intends for all people. It is the greatest gift that we can share and the only one that has benefits in both this life and the life to come.