“Salt and Light”

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

God's people have a mission. As the salt of the earth and the light of the world, they are to make the world a better place to live. Each disciple, through their righteous character, must impact those acquaintances on which they have influence. 

Salt preserves that on which it is sprinkled. This figure represents a society that is trending toward corruption. The disciple’s calling is to counteract that corruption. God's people by pursuing holiness and purity can surely make the world, nation, city, and neighborhood, a better place to live. The presence of good men and women in the world tends to keep it sound and healthy.  However, if salt loses its flavor, thus blending in with society, disciples fail to extend their leavening influence for good. 

Light banishes the darkness and shows the way to security and peace. Ultimately, Jesus is the “true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world”. (John 1:9) But, like the Lord, Jesus’ disciples must also show the way to God through their righteous character.

Like a city on a hill, God’s people are called to boldly live for God. Their lives must reflect God's moral excellence. While most of the world will not care, Christians are not to be ashamed of their confession. Their light streams out by means of good works appointed by God. (Ephesians 2:10) Through these good works they can lead others out of the entrapment of darkness.

True disciples, by shining their lights, must not draw attention to themselves. Christians desire, through their good works, to draw the world to the true Light, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Their wish is to cause others to glorify God.  

One cannot calculate the immense influence a few good men and women have in preserving the mass of society. Dear reader, if you're tempted to conceal your faith in order to avoid persecution, listen to Jesus: “let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:16)

George Slover  

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