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)

Gods 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 vanishes 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  

The princes of Judah are like those who remove a landmark; I will pour out My wrath on them like water. (Hosea 5:10)

The removal of a neighbor’s landmark constituted trampling on the rights of others. "You shall not remove your neighbor's landmark, which the men of old have set, in your inheritance which you will inherit in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess”. (Deuteronomy 19:14) It was regarded as reckless and contemptible. In this context Jewish nobles and higher officials were guilty of this treachery. 

The people of Israel had also sinned. She had turned from God, and given themselves to the worship of idols. The prophets compared the sin to harlotry. (vs. 7) Israel was full of pride and vain confidence. She had abandoned the important landmarks of serving Jehovah and keeping his law.  Even today civil and religious leaders of our nation promote immorality in the name of tolerance and political correctness. Our national leaders have removed the boundary stones. They have broken down important moral guidelines, and the people have followed.

First, God's inspired word, the Bible, is God’s moral code of conduct. Because it comes from God, one cannot find a better moral compass. Sadly, the values of family, community, and personal moral behavior taught in the Bible have been rejected. 

But, an even more fundamental moral landmark is the existence of God himself. With the rise of industrialism in America, men decided that they alone could create a utopia here on earth, thus concluding they didn't need God. They decided that God was dead. God was gradually removed from every institution of our society – Government, schools, and churches.

The removal of these two important fundamentals, Scripture and God, has led to an age of so called tolerance. We live in a world where there are no longer distinct boundaries between right and wrong. We ask concerning certain worldly pleasures – "where is the harm"? Instead of asking – "where is the good"?

In the midst of such moral turmoil, God’s people must maintain a steadfast faith in the unseen Ruler. We must trust in God who shapes all events for His purpose. We must: “Rest in Jehovah, and wait patiently for him.” (Psalm 37:7)

By George Slover

 

"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The names of Christ reveal the various aspects of his nature and character. By meditating on all of them, we get a complete picture of his excellence.

His name shall be called Wonderful. He is wonderful in his relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit in his pre-existence before the creation of the world. He is wonderful as the creator of  this world and all things. He is wonderful in his patience with mankind, revealing himself in a marvelous way and offering redemption. He is wonderful as he lived in this world so perfectly, and gave himself sacrificially.

His name is Counselor. Jesus is the unerring source respecting the purpose of life, the secret of true success, and the answer to our eternal destiny. He presides over the world and directs all of its affairs. (Proverbs 8:12-30) He is the true light> (John 1:9) His word is truth. (John 14:6)

His name is Mighty God. The son of God is himself God. The Messiah’s mission is to redeem man from sin, to conquer death, and to triumph over Satan. This can only be accomplished by God. The son of God is God, the mighty one.

His name is Everlasting Father. This title seems to give us some problems, for how can the son also be the father? The term “father” connotes such notions as provider, protector, and creator. The Messiah bears all of these traits, because he is God. Several New Testament passages affirm this truth. (John 14:7–11; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:1-4)

His name is Prince of Peace. A prince is  someone who bears rule or regal authority. However, in the Messiah there is peace not accomplished with physical swords and armies. Instead, he uses the sword of the spirit (Ephesians 6:10) to work on human hearts. When the Lord’s intended target velds to him, the product is beautiful.  When the Messiah removes the enmity between God and the sinner, there is a calm in the soul of each recipient, and the traits of social concord (patience, forbearance, courtesy, and love) all manifest them selves.

Taken in connection, these five names summarize the nature of the Messiah, his character his wisdom and his love.These names, though spoken in the past should promote a present reverence and trust in Jesus.

By George Slover

 

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”   (Hebrews 12:14) 

When things begin to go wrong in your life, when it seems that the foundations are breaking, when the pressure seems unbearable, it's easy to lose our perspective. This may have been the case with these Christians. The early part of the chapter refers to the discipline of the Lord. Such discipline may have come in the form of some kind of persecution. Thus, words of encouragement follow. 

During times of such duress, it is easy to point the finger at others, and play the blame game. This disposition promotes persistent grudges and quarreling. To guard against such differences, God counsels these disciples to pursue peace with one another.

Peace is essential to spiritual progress and usefulness. In times of suffering disciples need to join arms and face the enemy together. Our brother needs to be edified (Romans 14:19) and encouraged. This best happens in an environment of unity and harmony.

In addition to peace, the saints are called to holiness. Holiness is a state of being separated unto God. The state of holiness is a lifestyle that proceeds from a pure heart, a heart fully devoted to God. Given the context, holiness would also include peaceful inclinations towards the brethren.

We must pursue holiness by developing a more intimate relationship with God. Such glimpses of God’s purity will provoke us to move more closely to his image. This is accomplished by prayer and meditation of God's word. By diligent effort and constant attention to these things, we become more the people God wants us to be.

The writer then adds a warning: "without which no one will see the Lord.”  We must never lose the loving favor of God. We must stay on the path of spiritual courage and growth. One day heaven will open and we will see God.

By George Slover

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”(1 Peter 2:1,2)
 
Just as there is danger if a child fails to grow, there is spiritual peril for a child of God who does not mature. The preposition “therefore” connects Peter’s admonition with previous thoughts. Having received spiritual life through the new birth, they must now move on to perfection. 

To “grow” means to increase in stature or character. Growth is a sign that someone or something is living and vibrant. The fruit bearing tree is desired over the plant that is stagnant. It is rewarding for a child to grow in character. In like manner, it is refreshing for a child of God to mature, bear fruit for the Lord, and shine the light of Christ.

The child of God must remove some debris before God's word can have an impact. To “lay aside” implies a decisive action such as removing the clothes. Peter specifically lists those sins that would greatly hinder the fervent love he commanded in the previous chapter. (see1:22) They needed each other. They were team. The sins of envy, gossip, ill intent, and hypocrisy destroys relationships. They must remove these sins so God's word could work in their lives.

Peter acknowledges the word of God as the active agent that promotes the spiritual growth. Peter describes the kind of word that is desirable. Only the pure word of God will accomplish the desired results. Just as food tainted with poison is harmful to the physical body, God's word mixed with doctrines of men is spiritually harmful.

Peter further states that they were to desire the “milk” of the word. The sweet milk is used for nourishment in a young child. The milk would contain all the necessary nutrients to promote spiritual growth in these newborn Christians.

Furthermore, Peter encourages them to “desire” of the word. This is a strong admonition that means to yearn for or to crave. The imagery is an infant crying for food. Every Christian ought to have such a keen appetite for God's word.

Does this eager appetite for God's word describe you? The word of God should be sweet to our ears and hearts. Its wisdom is a treasure. But, it is even more precious when manifested in holiness of heart and life.

By George Slover