Charles E Bloom

Living the Gospel Out Loud Charles E Bloom

We have a responsibility to influence the people in our lives to be the best possible people they can be: "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up" (1 Thessalonians 5: 11). The word influence can be defined as the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself: for good or bad. It was Lucifer that influences a third of the angels to follow him, and as a result, they were kicked out of heaven. Other words that can be used to describe influence are effect - impact - control - sway - hold - power and authority. Each one of these words suggests the ability to have an effect on another person's life, for good or bad. Therefore, as a Christian, we have the responsibility to live in such a way that we influence the moral climate of our culture, and that is what makes us powerful in the earth. Sometimes you can have influence on someone and not even know it. Have you ever had someone to say how their lifestyle was affected by someone that they never met? They were attracted by something seen or said that affected their character, development, or behavior. The 3 metaphors the Bible uses to describe influence with credibility is salt, light, and leaven, and the credibility of each must be seen in the home, church, and community, with that being said, we can turn the world upside down for Jesus. My prayer is that as you read this book, you will see the importance of salt, light, and leaven as agents of influence in the home, church, and community. By doing so the credibility of the Gospel can be trusted to bring hope and healing because of how we Live the Gospel Out Loud.