Salt and Light

Mt. 5:13a, 14a

"You are the salt of the earth...You are the light of the world."

I have often heard that believers are to be salt and light. Strangely enough, almost every time I have heard it used, it meant something different. What actually does Jesus mean when He uses it in this context? First, Jesus states that believers are salt. It is a fact! Whether I like it or not, I am salt so I need to know what salt does. As far as I can discern, salt is used for seasoning, preserving, and even for cleansing. Is my Christian life reflective of these 'salty' functions? Do I sprinkle a flavor of new life in Christ wherever I go? Do I Improve the bitter taste of the world' s system? Is my Christian life significant enough that I can sprinkle it around wherever I go? As far as my preserving ability, do I maintain relationships so that I can share Jesus? Do I actively seek opportunities to give the gospel? Does my relationship with Jesus ring true to the world so that they might seek this preserving and life-giving relationship? And as a cleanser, do I reach down to help those who have fallen in the world's 'grime'? Does my fear of the world's dirt keep me so separated that I never take the hand of someone crusted in sin? As near as I can tell, being salt does not mean coming alongside the unsaved to enjoy the world's system with them, but it means coming alongside them to be that flavor of Jesus that can point them to the all-saving grace of God. If I have lost my salt or have tried to be a no-salt substitute, I am not good for anything but to be thrown out. Jesus speaks clearly. I am salt. I must be salty in all that I say and do.

When Jesus speaks of being a light in the world, He particularly stresses the idea of visibility. A light should not be hidden under a basket, but should be on a stand for all to see. As light, Jesus wants me to be visible, not secretive, or hidden. People should never be shocked to find out that I am a Christian. In fact, it should be the first thing that they notice about me. Jesus as the light within me should light up my life to the degree that I light up the world as I go through it. He is my unlimited source of energy so I need never fear my light will go out. Why does Jesus want me to shine? He wants my good works to show so that men may see them and give glory to God. I think this last statement addresses the issue of the secret Christian. Could it be that Christians who don't want to shine are not producing the fruit of the Spirit? Could they be fearing that what would be exposed in this light would not bring glory to God? Something to think about...

Jesus states these two metaphors in the form of an established fact. I am salt and light so I need to live like salt and light! If I don't, then I am disobedient. Does justifying my lack of salt or my dim light make it right or excuse it? Or does it just make it sin?

Father,

My heart is deeply touched today as I examine my saltiness and my brightness? Help me to reflect You and to speak out for You wherever I Go. If I try to hide, send Your Holy Spirit to hammer me big time. Give me Your grace to be Your salt and light.

In Jesus name,

Amen