Read: Matthew 5:1-16

In our world that is so consumed with acting as entertainment, it is so important that we distinguish between professional acting and what I would call real life acting. In the contexts of big screen, television and the internet world, ‘image’ becomes so important.

 We all want to look good or perhaps not. Sometimes, the purpose of some people is to shock their audience with the images and behavior that is revealed on Facebook or Twitter. However, in the context of television shows or movies, actors behave according to a pre-determined script. They can pretend to be happy, angry or sad. They conjure up emotions that appear real but yet have no effect on their lives outside of the movie set.

Yes, we each like to be entertained. Good acting is appreciated even if it has no lasting effect on the way we live. But, acting in the life of a church of Christ ought to have a lasting permanent effect on those who witness it. In our church, we have just witnessed 7 persons act out their faith in Jesus Christ through the act of baptism. By their willingness to be immersed into water, they acknowledged their willingness to ‘die’ to their old selfish sinful nature by yielding to or immersing themselves into Christ. The act of what we call Christian “believer’s baptism” is an acting out their commitment to Christ before others. It is their way of saying that God has re-created them spiritually – they have become a new creation in Christ.”(2 Corinthians 5:17)

Unlike professional acting, the acting in a believer’s baptism is real and directly arises out of the heart of the one who acts. In what is called the ‘Sermon on the Mount’, Jesus taught that now is the time to repent and receive him into our hearts. Now is the time to act out before others what we are becoming in Jesus. We are called to live as peace-makers, merciful and righteous adopted sons and daughters of God – revealing Him to a desperately needy world. Our Savior calls us to act as salt and light – that is, to allow Him to live as salt and light through us.

As you read in Matthew 5:1-16, meditate on this: If you are a real follower and aspiring disciple of Jesus, now is the time for you to act – not fake acting but acting out in daily life what God is accomplishing in your heart.