Time of Grace With Pastor Mike Novotny

Jesus tells us to be salt and light. Being salty means looking for opportunities to be a flavor enhancer by living with joy, to be a giver of value to others, to be an agent of change in a sinful world, or even to be a little sting to remind people of their need for a Savior. When he calls us to be lights, he is reminding us to live our lives in a way that shines gospel light so that unbelievers will see God in our words and actions.

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. But our loving Father sent his Son to save us, and we no longer have to struggle on our own. The Holy Spirit changes us, renews us, and helps us to overcome our temptations and to live lives of thankfulness and service to God and others.

Separated from Christ, we have nothing. Connected to Christ, we have everything—not only in eternity, but now already. As Christian brothers and sisters, we urge each other to pay more careful attention to what we have heard in his Word so that we do not drift away. We also encourage each other to share the news of what Jesus has done for us with as many people as we can.

The Jewish leaders at Jesus’ time felt that keeping the Sabbath was a requirement for earning heaven, but Jesus showed them that there is nothing we can do to gain heaven on our own. He did it all for us by living a perfect life, dying in our place, and rising again. As our Sabbath we worship our God in thankfulness for the work that Jesus did and for his constant work of watching over us every day of our lives.

Our society helps less and less with the task of showing men what being a good father means. But God tells us in his Word that fathers have an important role to play. They support their wives, bring up their children in the faith, and model for their children and others what it means to be a God-pleasing man, husband, and father. 

Our society has warped views as to what it means to be a man and a father. God’s Word gives us his guidelines to follow. Men are an important part of the family—helping to care and provide for their families; sharing God’s Word with their families; and being an example in how to stay married, treat your spouse, and love your children.

There are times in our lives when we tell lies to avoid and evade responsibility. It is always better when we speak the truth—God’s truth. As redeemed children of God, we change our sinful, lying ways to follow God’s guidance and speak the truth in love to others.

Because of the forgiveness we have in Jesus, every day we live our lives for him as if it is the day that he will return to take us to heaven. Our job is to be sharers of God’s mercy and love with others. One way to do that is to encourage with the words that come out of our mouths rather than tear down.

Peter gives us an awesome example of witnessing for his faith—not being silent in opposition. We too have great news to share. Everyone needs Jesus, and God’s Word has power. When we speak it, the Holy Spirit works through it.

Because of Jesus, we through faith are changed. We live our lives for him as forgiven children of God. It is easy to judge and see faults in others, but God calls us to be brokers of his mercy—correcting others in humility and love.