Here in America it seems to be a vital issue to determine what the believer’s position and responsibility is in our world. And then having determined what that responsibility is the next question is, how to we fulfill it? This really is not a difficult matter to resolve. In Matthew chapter five, Christ declares simply that we as His people are the “salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”. I believe that “salt” refers to the preserving influence of the believer within his culture and that “light” refers to his evangelistic efforts within the culture. As to how these matters are worked out practically we need only to examine the activity of the apostles in the book of Acts and the training and urging of these men to their converts in the epistles.
Regarding the effectiveness of these men we need look no further than this statement in the book of Acts:
Acts 17:6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
The observation of the opponents of the Apostles was that their efforts had “…turned the world upside down”.
All we need do then is to simply follow the example of the Apostles and the early churches. Let me make one simple observation; the apostles did not lead in a campaign against the Roman government or Nero, though they were wicked indeed. That culture was marked by abortion and homosexuality and yet it was “…turned upside down”, by gospel activity. Add to this discussion this comment by the apostle Paul:
2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Paul here is addressing the churches and believers in the latter days and the fact that they no longer have an appreciation for the power of the gospel. Let us not be of that number. Let us not abandon the real power of our times. Let us sow in faith believing.
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
