Our God is a Giver By Dan Jenkins
February 18, 2024
Do We Really Have All We Need?
February 18, 2024
John Seibel
With all of the social and political chaos occurring around us in the world, we, as Christians, are called to be a healing salve of salt and light. Matthew 5:13-16 says, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Salt and light have interesting properties; they influence and change the environment with which they come in contact. They do not affirm or conform, they change for the better. Jesus compared us to salt and light because we are to change the environment around us for the better. Our response to the world is key to how we influence the world. Not coincidentally, Matthew 5:13-16 is preceded by the beatitudes, which give us examples of how we are to be salt and light, and respond and behave in the world in which we live. For example, we are to be gentle, merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers. One of the beatitudes illustrates clearly the outcome for US when we are salt and light. Matthew 5:11-13 says, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
As salt, we can preserve goodness in the world with Godly principles and work against the moral decay that is around us. As light, we can illuminate the darkness and confusion in the world with Biblical teachings and Godly behavior. Jesus lived over 2,000 years ago, but His words have not lost their saltiness today. Let us all consider how we can be salt and light to God’s glory.
