Matthew 5:13-16

Matthew 5:13-16 says: 

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 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.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Christians are called to be the salt and light of the world. But what’s so special about salt and light? They change the environment they come in contact with. You can always tell if something's salty. And it’s even easier to tell if it’s bright.

 But how exactly should salt and light act? 

First of all, salt is a preservative: Christian should hold back moral and spiritual decay in our fallen world. Salt produces thirst: The way we live and act should show unbelievers  that we belong to God. They’ll see something different and become curious or “thirsty” for what we have; a relationship with Jesus. Light is sometimes an irritant:  Being light can make the world uncomfortable because we shine our light. This discomfort is not a problem; it’s a sign we’re doing our job of exposing darkness and calling people to repentance. (Though, we shouldn’t go around just making people mad if it’s not for a biblical reason.) Salt must not lose its distinctiveness: If salt becomes tasteless it is useless. Likewise, a Christians who is worldly, lukewarm, or hidden fails to fulfill the calling to influence culture. We are called to be visible: outflowing ministry, godly witness, and consistent character so we function as salt.

This doesn’t mean that you have to become a missionary, start an orphanage, organize a movement, or run for congress (though all these can be good if that’s what God has called you to). Being salt and light can be as simple as putting Christ at the center of everything you do and being a Godly witness in everyday life.  “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”  

2 Corinthians 5:15