Passing the Salt, Brightly Shining

Jesus taught life principles in His Sermon on the Mount. One teaching described disciples who put their faith in Him as salt and light: “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt hath lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.” Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house (Matthew 5:13–15).

Why would Jesus call His disciples the salt of the earth and the world's light? He designed us to affect the world positively.

Salt not only enhances the flavor of food but preserves it from spoilage and creates an environment where bacteria and other harmful organisms can’t survive. The staple also serves medicinal purposes. Salt aids traction on icy sidewalks and roads. People without Christ are sin-sick, “spinning their wheels” in a corrupt world, vying for their souls. Christians have the Spirit of Truth living within them; their influence and character should create an environment that draws those without Christ to the Truth, away from the world’s corruption. But when sin taints our salt, we falter in our God-given task; our salt is tasteless—ineffective—and Jesus said we are useless for God’s purposes.

Light dispels darkness, making objects and people visible. Do we cover the light? No, we want it to shine. Jesus said He is the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5; 1:4,9; 3:19; 12:35–36), and we are the world’s light as He shines through us. Although they may not realize it, our corrupt, spoiled, and putrid world needs us. Our testimony and influence should expose the world’s darkness and draw the unsaved out of it into God’s saving light. As light-bearers, we are to carry the Gospel message everywhere, showing and telling the lost their need for our Lord and Savior.

Christ-followers have the Spirit of the living God abiding within them, but they can quench the workings of the Holy Spirit. Their saltiness then becomes useless, and their brightness dims. We are of little value to God when we aren’t the salt and light He called us to be. If you aren’t salty enough or shining brightly, it’s no one’s fault but yours; get right with God. People may not only miss blessings but eternity with our heavenly Father without your influence. “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven (v. 16).”