Most people like their food seasoned, and they like to be in a well-lit room. Not too many people like bland food, or want to sit in dark rooms. When we’re making our meals, imagine the disappointment if we find that what’s in the salt shaker is only something that looks like salt, but is only a tasteless look-a-like. When we go to turn on a light in a dark room, we don’t like to find that the bulb is burned out, or there are no batteries in the flashlight. In our Scripture, which continues in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, the Lord tells how His followers are to be both salt and light. Let’s look into what Jesus has to say.
In our rather familiar Scripture today, Jesus describes faithful believers as being both salt and light. What did He mean by this? How can believers be like either of these? We’ll take a quick look at both salt and light, and how we can be like each one of these in our life.
Salt is often used as a preservative. In the past, before our modern refrigerators and freezers, meat was often heavily salted so that it wouldn’t spoil and could last for many weeks. As Christians wanting to be like salt, we should ask ourselves whether our words preserve God’s Word, or are we turning people away from Him? Are we helping to improve a situation and keep spiritual decay from happening? Another thing that salt does is to purify and soften. Are our words and actions pure and truthful? Are they soft and kind, or harsh and hostile?
We all know that salt can cause thirst. When we handle our suffering with calmness, endurance, and hope, others will thirst to know how we do it, and can be drawn to the Lord Jesus. Salt is also used to melt ice. Many communities in northern regions put salt on the roads to prevent slippery and dangerous conditions in the winter. The way we talk and act should melt icy conversations and situations, and bring out the best in others. Salt prevents infections in a wound. We should do what we can to help heal relationships and prevent further hurt from happening.
In the past, salt was very valuable. Do our words add value to the conversation, or are they empty and worthless? A seasoning that has no flavor has no value. If Christians make no effort to affect the world around them, they are of little value to God. We should not blend in with the world. Instead of blending in with the world, we should be affecting them positively. Only a genuine believer is salt, and can help meet the needs of the world.
The second thing that the Lord Jesus told us, His followers, to be is light (vs. 14-16). We are to be a reflector of the light which comes from Jesus. As we can readily see, a light shines best when it is not hidden. We should never hide our testimony and Christian witness from others. A light is brightest when the lamp is clean. If we want the light of our witness to shine, we need to get rid of hypocrisy, along with sinful attitudes and practices. Light warns of danger, and it guides us to safety. That is what our Christian witness and testimony should also do.
The preserving, taste-giving bite of “salt”, mixed with the illuminating, hope-giving ray of “light” may seem feeble and needless. But no society can exist without active, faithful Christians who are acting as salt and light. A society that is assaulted by violence, depravity, and deception, will, without a preservative, deteriorate and ultimately self-destruct. Our Christian influence is essential for society.
If we live for Jesus, we will glow like lights, showing others what He is like. We need to show everyone, especially our enemies, that we are different because of our faith. Don’t let sin, other people, or fear dim our light!
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