‘Watt’ Is Your Brightness? by Alan Blackmon

It looks like a typo, doesn’t it? But before you mentally swap that “Watt” for a “What,” pause for a second. This intentional twist is more than just a pun. It’s a prompt to nudge us to think beyond just the wordplay. You see, in the world of light bulbs, watts measure power consumption, while lumens reveal brightness. This is a powerful analogy for life. Sometimes we expend a lot of energy without truly illuminating anything.

A bulb needs power to shine in a room. The more efficient the bulb, the more lumens of light it gives off without wasting energy. 

Jesus said His followers are the light of the world. But like light bulbs, we don’t shine on our own. We need a power source. Without it, we can burn out or grow dim. But when we are connected to Jesus, the true power source, we can light up even the darkest places.

Jesus drives this home in the Sermon on the Mount:

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV)

Notice, Jesus is not calling the disciples to hide their light under a basket but to lift it high, boldly, and visibly, so it penetrates the darkness and exposes man’s sin.

As bearers of His light, we don’t drive out darkness by our own strength but by Christ’s life within us (John 8:12; Gal 2:20,21). When we stay connected to His power and let our lives embody the reality of the gospel, others are drawn into truth (Eph 5:8), and God’s glory shines through every act of love that we do. 

This raises our question:

How Do We Walk in the Light?

1. Stay Connected to the Source

Take a moment to reflect: Are we relying on our own strength, or are we drawing daily from Jesus’s endless love and power through prayer, Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Consider how we are spending our time. Are we nurturing our relationship with Jesus through worship, reading and applying His Word, and also connecting with others who share our faith? Let us keep our hearts open and our spirits refreshed. The world around us is dark and heavy, but His light is always there to guide us.

2. Shine Right Where You Are

Jesus taught that a lamp is placed where it can brighten the whole room. Wherever we are, whether as a parent, coworker, friend, or neighbor, let His light shine through us. In our family, show Jesus’ love by leading with patience and grace. At work, strive for excellence and encourage those around us by sharing how His strength inspires and moves us. We don’t need to wait for the perfect moment. We can start today, using our words, actions, and kindness to let His love shine and bring hope to those around us.

3. Focus on Impact, Not Just Effort

It’s not about how much energy we pour out (watts), but how much light we share (lumens). Let our life reflect Jesus’s love, peace, and truth in ways that touch others deeply. It’s not about what we can do on our own; it’s about letting His power work through us. Allow God’s grace to flow through our actions, words, and compassion, making a real difference in the lives around us. You’re not alone in this. He’s with you, shining through you. So go ahead and be the light that he has called us to be.

4. Remove the Basket

I have looked silly at times with my “spiritual basket” over my head, letting distractions get in the way. Like many of us, I’ve faced the fear of rejection. Yet, we need to overcome this fear by staying fully charged and rooted in Jesus. Jesus was rejected, and so will we.  Here is our challenge: take one bold step this week to let His light shine.  Share your faith with a coworker, classmate, or neighbor.  Stand gracefully for what is right and encourage someone in need. God has a plan. Seek it. Know it, and let it consume you to shine!

5. Illuminate for God’s Glory, Not Your Own

This one hurts deeply, doesn’t it? It’s easy to let our service become more about applause than obedience. But we need to pause and ask ourselves: “Is our light drawing others to Jesus or us?” True humility isn’t self-belittlement. It is a quiet confidence rooted in His grace. Grace that reminds us we were once in darkness too, and only now shine because of Christ within us. So, let us serve from a place of humble gratitude, not to be noticed, but to reflect the One who gave everything for us. When we shift the spotlight back to Jesus, our light not only becomes more radiant, but it glorifies Him.

So, as we learn to be the light that God has called us to be, we should ask, “ ‘Watt’ is our brightness? It’s not a question of ability, but of our relationship and connection to Christ, the true Light. We don’t have to strive to glow brighter by ourselves. Just stay close to the Source. His grace will energize us all. His truth will guide us. And His love will shine through us. Whether our light feels like a soft flicker or a radiant beam, remember: He delights in using you just as you are. So, keep shining. Not for applause, but for His glory. Because even the smallest light can lead someone home. And friend, our light matters more than we know. Shine on!

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Copyright 2025 James Alan Blackmon and Grace Outreach Ministries Asia (GOMAsia). All content on this website, including text, images, documents, and graphics, is protected by copyright. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use is strictly prohibited. For permission requests, please contact ablackmon@gomasia.com.

Why It is Better to Be a Peacemaker Than a Peacekeeper? by Alan Blackmon

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In a world filled with conflict, misunderstanding, and broken relationships, understanding the difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking is crucial. While both may sound similar, their outcomes are vastly different. A peacekeeper seeks to maintain harmony by avoiding confrontation, while a peacemaker actively works toward reconciliation and truth. The Bible calls us to be peacemakers who pursue genuine peace rooted in love, truth, and justice.

The Danger of Ignoring Sin

Sin, when left unchecked, is like rust, it may seem small at first, but it gradually spreads and corrodes everything it touches. When believers choose to ignore sin, whether in personal relationships or within the body of Christ, they risk allowing deception, bitterness, and division to take root.

The tendency to sweep issues under the rug might feel like maintaining peace, but it’s merely creating deeper problems.  Conflicts that go unresolved, can breed resentment and broken relationships, creating fertile ground for falsehoods to take root and spread if left unchecked.

Instead of ignoring sin, Jesus taught a better way—addressing it directly, with humility and love.

Why is this the best way?

1. Because The Heart of a Peacemaker Reflects God’s Heart

A peacemaker embodies compassion and biblical truth, mirroring the heart of God. Jesus Himself demonstrated this in His ministry, confronting sin while extending grace.

John 13:35 states, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” This verse highlights that true discipleship is marked by love, not passive avoidance of conflict. Love is not merely about keeping the peace—it’s about actively seeking restoration.

Similarly, 1 Peter 4:8 reminds us, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” This does not mean ignoring sin but rather addressing it with grace and wisdom. Love does not enable wrongdoing; instead, it seeks to heal and restore.

Special Notes:

Covering vs. Exposing: To “cover” sins implies protecting the dignity of the offender by addressing their wrongs privately and with grace, as opposed to shaming or gossiping about them. Later we will see in Matthew 18:15 where Jesus instructs believers to confront sin privately first, aiming to “gain your brother” rather than humiliate him.

Practical Application

Imagine a church member who gossips, causing hurt. A “peacekeeper” might ignore it to avoid conflict, allowing resentment to grow. A “peacemaker,” motivated by love, might privately address the issue, seeking to understand the gossiper’s motives, forgive them, and restore trust. This act of love “covers” the sin by resolving it without public shaming.

Another example is a marriage relationship that has been tainted with mistrust. Love might mean overlooking minor offenses or addressing major ones with humility to preserve the relationship. Here, the phrase “love covers a multitude of sins” means choosing forgiveness over resentment.

Limitations in these Applications

• The phrase doesn’t mean love excuses all sins or eliminates consequences. Serious sins (e.g., all types of abuses) may require accountability, justice, or intervention beyond private forgiveness.
• It’s not a call to hide sin for the sake of appearances but to handle it in a way that reflects God’s redemptive love.

In summary, “love covers a multitude of sins” means that genuine, selfless love chooses forgiveness, grace, and reconciliation over judgment or division, reflecting God’s heart while still addressing sin with wisdom.

2. Because Peacemakers Confront Sin, but Peacekeepers Avoid It

One of the greatest dangers of being a peacekeeper is the tendency to ignore sin, and pretending it doesn’t exist. This approach may seem easier in the short term, but it allows problems to fester. Remember, Sin, like rust, may appear small at first, but if left unchecked, it spreads and weakens everything it touches.

Matthew 18:15-16 provides a biblical framework for addressing conflict:

• “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”
• “But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.”

The first step is never going to social media to expose a wrong. Notice that Jesus instructs believers to approach others privately first before escalating the situation. This emphasizes the importance of grace, discretion, and a sincere desire to restore rather than condemn.

Therefore, it is important to be direct and loving in a confrontation rather than passively avoiding what is needed to correct the wrong. Ignoring sin leads to exaggerated lies and deeper wounds, while addressing it directly with humility, there is a better chance for healing of all wounds.

3. Because the goal of Peacemaking is Biblical Relationships

Peacemaking requires courage, wisdom, and a heart for reconciliation. It is not about winning arguments but about restoring relationships. When we approach conflict with compassion, grace, and mercy, we reflect God’s heart and create a safe space for honest dialogue.

Conclusion

The way I see it: “Confronting sin or misunderstandings with the attitude of compassion, grace, and mercy is key to resolving conflicts in a way that reflects God's heart. Approaching these conversations with humility and empathy makes all the difference.”

True peace is not the absence of conflict; it is the presence of truth, love, and reconciliation. So, let us strive to be peacemakers, not just peacekeepers!

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Copyright 2025 James Alan Blackmon and Grace Outreach Ministries Asia (GOMAsia). All content on this website, including text, images, documents, and graphics, is protected by copyright. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use is strictly prohibited. For permission requests, please contact ablackmon@gomasia.com.

How Salty are You? by Alan Blackmon

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Salt has been a game-changer in human history for thousands of years. It preserved food, added flavor, and even served as medicine in some cultures. In ancient Rome, salt was so valuable that soldiers received a special allowance, called “salarium,” to buy it. That’s where our modern word "salary" comes from, and along with it, the phrase "worth our salt."

To be "worth our salt" means doing our job well, earning our keep, and living up to expectations. It’s about being capable, reliable, and excellent at what we do.

So, as Christians, here’s the question: Are we worth our salt?

In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus describes believers as "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world". These are powerful metaphors that illustrate the role and influence of Christians in the world.

Let us examine what it means to be “the salt of the earth.”

Matthew 5:13 “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.” (ESV)

Jesus said that the believers are to be salt. Salt has many qualities: It adds flavor to food, preserves it from decay, and even creates thirst.  Salt was also a symbol of covenant and purity, reminding believers of their role in upholding God’s standards and living lives that reflect His holiness. (Leviticus 2:13, Numbers 18:19, and 2 Chronicles 13:5)

As believers, our lives should reflect Jesus.  Every disciple of Jesus should ask themselves: Is my saltiness bringing out the richness of God’s truth in a world prone to moral decay? Is my life exposing and standing against things that are contrary to God’s character?  If we answer no, then we are losing our saltiness.

Salt loses its flavor when it becomes contaminated.  There are many subtle “contaminants” that can dull a believer’s spiritual witness. Here are a few examples that often creep in unnoticed:

• Compromise with cultural values: When believers begin to adopt the world’s standards of success or emulate the world’s morality without discernment, contaminants will dilute our distinctive Christlike lifestyle.
• Spiritual complacency:  A gradual neglect of prayer, Scripture, and fellowship can lead to a stagnant faith, where passion for God is replaced by routine or apathy. When we find ourselves just “going through the motions,” then our saltiness has become compromised.
• Unforgiveness and bitterness: They act as a dam and block the flow of His grace, making it difficult to reflect Christ’s love.
• People-pleasing: When the fear of man outweighs the fear of God, believers may stay silent on truth or compromise convictions to avoid rejection.
• Hidden sin or habitual disobedience: Even private sins, if unconfessed, can erode spiritual integrity and hinder the Spirit’s work in and through us.
• Neglecting the mission: When believers lose sight of their calling to be salt and light, they become inward-focused, forgetting their role as ambassadors of Jesus.

Jesus warns us that if salt loses its saltiness, it becomes useless. Each compromise will slowly corrode our “saltiness,” by weakening our witness and dulling its impact. When this happens, our influence loses its distinct Godly flavor, and it is cast out into the streets to be trampled on by the world.  

A damaged witness can be difficult to rebuild, but the good news is that Jesus specializes in restoration. When we return to Him with humility and repentance, He revives our saltiness and renews our sense of purpose. As 1 John 1:9 reminds us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (ESV)

Practical Applications

1. Live with Integrity: Demonstrate honesty and moral courage in daily interactions, preserving godly principles in a world prone to corruption. Example: Stand for truth in the workplace, even when it’s unpopular. "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” Proverbs 11:3 (ESV)
2. Season Relationships with Grace: Speak words that encourage and correction that uplift others, reflecting Christ’s love. Example: Offer kind words to a struggling coworker or friend. Even offer to pray for their situation, and be genuine.
3. Serve with Love and Purpose: Jesus emphasizes love for God and neighbor as central to the Christian life (Matthew 22:37-40). This includes acts of kindness, generosity, and compassion. "...learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."  Isaiah 1:17 (ESV)
4. Being a Witness: Sharing the gospel through words and actions is a key aspect of the Christian Walk (Acts 1:8). Engage your community that knows you and let the salt of God do its work.

Remember, to be the salt of the earth is to live with purpose, and to bring the flavor of God’s truth to every area of life. Through integrity, grace, service, and a bold witness, we reflect Christ and stir a hunger for righteousness in others.

So, let us do God’s calling to make disciples by reflecting Christ and glorifying God in all we do. As Ephesians 2:10 declares: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (ESV)

Stay salty, my friend. Our life in Christ leaves a flavor the world can’t ignore!

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Copyright 2025 James Alan Blackmon and Grace Outreach Ministries Asia (GOMAsia). All content on this website, including text, images, documents, and graphics, is protected by copyright. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use is strictly prohibited. For permission requests, please contact ablackmon@gomasia.com.