Impacting others by our own example-Part 1
Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”
Extra Reading: Matthew 5:12-20
Jesus says “You are the salt of the earth” v13. We are told that in the ancient world, ‘salt’ was used for flavouring and as a preservative. Instead of being made by evaporation of salt water, the salt came mostly from salt marshes in the area southwest of the Dead Sea. Salt had commercial value. Jesus’ question ‘How can its saltiness be restored?’ did not expect an answer-for once salt has deteriorated, it cannot be used as a preservative. As salt preserves and brings out the best flavor of food, so believers should affect others positively. Jesus clearly told his disciples that if they wanted to make a difference in the world, they would have to be different from the world. God would hold them accountable to maintain their “saltiness”, that is, their, we usefulness. If we are too much like the world, we are useless. Christians should not blend in with everyone else. Jesus tells us, as he told his disciples, that we must be different if we want to make a difference. We dare not allow the world to dilute our effectiveness. If we do, we are of no value to him.
Verse 14 states, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” As salt makes a difference in people’s food, so light makes a difference in their surroundings. Jesus came as “the light of all people” (John 1:4 NSRV) and would later explain, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12 NIV). Christ’s disciples must live for Christ, shining like lights in a dark world, showing clearly what Christ is like. Who could hide a city that is sitting on top of a hill? Lanterns glowing from behind its walls send a light at night that can be seen for kilometres. Because Jesus is light of the world, his followers must reflect his light. If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like. Jesus asked the question “Why would anyone try to hide a light? Jesus asked? Unfortunately many Christians do just that. We hide our light by: being quiet when we should speak; going along with the crowd; denying the truth, letting sin dim our witness for Christ, not experiencing the truth to others, and ignoring the needs of others.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to be the light of the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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