SALT AND LIGHT

By Jemima Rayan

Jesus, the great teacher told the believers that they are 'the salt' and 'the light'. These are two important components that we need each day. Jesus was teaching His disciples how we need to be salt and light in this world. Actually Jesus used these two components as metaphors to describe how we, as children of the most High God should be a positive influence on the society that we are living in and not only that, we should be able to penetrate into the lives of people who live in this world.

You are the salt of the earth:

Jesus did not suggest that we try to live like salt if possible! He said, "You are the salt". Jesus said in Matthew 5:13, '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 trample underfoot by men'. When can salt lose its favor? It is when the impurities are present in it. We need to get rid of all the filth in us. Holiness is the prime thing.

1 Peter 2:9 says, 'But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; God has called us to be a holy nation. He did not call us to continue in our sin. We would have been living in sin, when He called us. But we need to realize that God has called us to be holy, live holy in all our thoughts, deeds and words. That is when we will not lose our flavor. We have seen from experience that if a man of God does something that is not appropriate for him to do, we see the people of this world, the news media and the others trampling underfoot. So it is so important that we live holy and upright before God.

Jesus also cautions in Mark 9:50 saying, 'Everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."

When you look at the characteristics of salt, it adds to the taste. A little bit of salt brings about a great taste in the food. In the same way, believers are the ones, who add taste to the secular society that we live in. A believer is the one who can bring that life that each one is looking for. Jesus did not address this to the full time ministers only. He told this to each and every believer.

It is amazing to note that Jesus asked us to have salt in ourselves and have peace with one another. It is so important that we, Christians have peace with each other. There is so much gossip and back biting going on among the believers that they spoil each other's reputation. They depreciate the other believer so much that there is no value for the other individual. This practice should be totally stopped. Jesus said, have peace with one another. We cannot say that we have salt in ourselves but do not have peace with one another. We have to make a decision to be good to others. That is what Jesus meant by saying salt is good and we need to have that good attitude in us and have peace with our family members, friends, neighbors, colleagues and the other believers. If we do what Jesus commanded us to do, people will be drawn to God.

You are the light of the world:

Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16, '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 lamp stand, 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.

It is an essential character of the Kingdom people to display the character of Christ. The Bible says that Jesus is the light of this world. And we see Jesus saying, we are the light of the world.

1 John 4:17says, ‘…as He is so are we in this world’. The Lord has called us to be exactly like Him.

1 John 1:5 says, ‘…God is light and in Him is no darkness at all’.

Isaiah 60:1, 2, 3 says, ‘Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising’.

We see darkness all over the world. There are problems and sufferings on one hand. On the other hand, there is the work of the enemy breaking families and causing people to hate each other. In the midst of all the turmoil, you and I can be like a light shining in the darkness. Our light can shine because Jesus is living in us. Hallelujah!

When people see that we are like Christ, they come to us seeking what we have. The world needs to see Jesus and we may be the only Jesus they will ever see. The only Jesus some people will ever see is the Jesus who lives in you and me.

May the Lord enable you to be salt and Light for His glory. Amen.