Christians have a powerful influence for good in this world. The Christian influence is depicted in several ways.
Christians are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14-16Matthew 5:14-16
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. a bushel: the word in the original signifieth a measure containing about a pint less than a peck
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
). They show the world the way to live and please God. God is called the “Father of lights” (James 1:17James 1:17
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
) and Jesus “the true Light which gives light to every man” (John 1:9John 1:9
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
) The Christian’s light shines by doing good to the world. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify you Father in Heaven” (Matthew 5:16Matthew 5:16
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
).
Christians are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13Matthew 5:13
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
). Salt preserves food and gives it a nice flavor. Christians are likened to salt because they make the earth a better place by righteous words and deeds. Colossians 4:6Colossians 4:6
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
says, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt…”
Christians are an epistle of Christ (II Corinthians 3:2-3). The New Testament contains several epistles or letters that were written to churches throughout the ancient world. Those who read and follow them convey the teachings of the New Testament by example. Paul said, “You are our epistle… known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ.”
Christians reflect the image of Christ (Galatians 2:20Galatians 2:20
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
).The apostle Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is now longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” This is true of all who are Christians. Jesus Christ still walks the earth in the bodies of all who do His will. “Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” (Acts 26:28Acts 26:28
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
).
