For Scripture to be personal, we’re helped with verses that are rewritten with our personal interests in mind. We have a significant difference in saying disciples came to Jesus and saying you came to him.
Here’s some of what Jesus had to say during his Sermon on the Mount—from a writer’s perspective:
Matthew 5:1–16
When Jesus saw a large audience gathering, he went up on the hillside, and aspiring writers came to him. And he taught them, saying,
- “Blessed are poor and weak writers, for they will seek help and the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.
- “Blessed are writers who mourn, who grieve over their lack of success, for God will bring comfort, joy, and laughter to their aching hearts.
- “Blessed are humble writers, those who are content with who they are, for they will discover their unique voice that resonates with their audience.
- “Blessed are those who strive to write their best, who hunger and thirst to please God, for they will find true satisfaction.
- “Blessed are the merciful writers who really care for their audience, for they shall be well cared for.
- “Blessed are writers who are open and honest, concerned about pure motives rather than how they look, for they will walk with God.
- “Blessed are writers who promote peace, who respond to controversy with kindness, for they will be called God’s young scribes.
- “Blessed are writers who receive many rejections, whose messages were good but didn’t fit the publisher’s needs, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.
- “Blessed are shunned writers, those who rejected, insulted, and falsely accused because of their Christian perspective. In their day of abuse, they will rejoice because their reward in Heaven is great. The ancient prophetic writers were treated the same way.”
“Writers are like the salt that makes food taste good,” Jesus said. “But if the salt doesn’t make the audience like the taste of the message, where is its value? You have a worst-selling book that will gather dust on the shelf or be thrown away.
“Like city lights on a hill that cannot be hidden, your testimony should give light to the whole world.
“Writers do not hide their stories where they cannot be read. They are published in emails, blogs, and books to give light to everyone.
“Let your writing shine so people may read your words and glorify God in Heaven.”
