 |
|
|
Salt and light are two essentials to life, especially in the ancient world (Matthew 5: 13-16). Light was and is the needed medium for us to see, when the lights are out we cannot see, when we turn off the light to His Word, how could it impact or instruct us. This transfers to the power of the illustration that Jesus is saying to us what good would a disciple be if they did not live as they are called too, they would be like salt that falls in dirt, useless! Or a city that turned out its lights, how could people find it. This passage is the application to the Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-12) what good would it be if it was just read or placed in a frame on the wall, but never adhered too or put into practice?
The Christian role in the world is to be influencers of the world! Not to hide from it, or ignore it, or alienated them from us! We have to find a way to influence it without being influenced negatively by their sin and corruption ourselves! We are not to be just sitting in a pew with our correct doctrine and never doing anything with it! As light is needed and put to use, so are you and your church are needed and need to be put to use! Thus we are to help others see their role in Christ and society. We must be careful not to be influenced by the people we are called to flavor and light! Salt preserves, so we are to preserve not only our own faith but others as well! That means we are to hinder the corruption in the world by being examples and instigators of action and involvement with virtue and morality, tempered with love and care. As Salt and Light we are to help make the world more ‘palatable’, that is livable and manageable to know God, and to help others.
As Christians we are the light for the world, Christ is the light of the world. We are called to arise and shine to the world! That means we receive His light and then pas it on to others around us (Isa. 60:1-3; Luke 1:78-79; Eph. 5:14; Rev. 21:23-24). Even though the world is in darkness we are still to give light to it in morality convection and care. Even though we may be persecuted and they turn around their sins and try to pin it on us by saying we are evil and falsely accusing us, we are still to shine His light to them, as our Lord did to the people before the cross (Luke 23:32-33). Do not give up!
As we are called to impact and influence the world we are not to become influenced or impacted by the world ourselves. What happens if you feel that you have lost that flavor or light? Remove the impurities, the sin and that which goes against His Word and character! Warning if you chose not too you too may be through out! No, not that we can lose our salvation. Unless you never came to Christ, but lose our blessings and the rewards to come (Psalm 51:10-15)!
As light we are to Worship Him as a lifestyle and attitude, then radiate and proclaim the praises of God to ourselves (you have to be converted and convicted before you can spread it), family, friends and the world. "Lights" in a dark world mean we are to pass it on. For light to be light it must be visible!
Although our hope is in eternity and this earth is our temporary home we are still to do our best while we are here (I Pet. 2:11). We are not to withdraw from it or become like the world (John 17:5; Titus 2:12)! We are to be different and set a part only in our thinking and virtue. Meaning we are to still to be involved in our society in building relationships and a better society and world. We also need not to be afraid to confront sin and evil, but always do it in the parameters of the Christ like character of love, care, hope while not losing our stand or dignity as His child! In so doing we are to proclaim the Word as evangelists in our spoken word and modeling deed! We are to influence our culture and creation, which is our society and environment for the positive!
|
|
|
