The Salt And Light

As a young person in this generation, I know how hard it is to stand up for God when everyone else shows an absolute disrespect for Him. I know the loneliness experienced when you leave a situation because a group of people are doing something that you know you shouldn't be a part of. As Christians, the only way we can continue to triumph over the things of this world is to continue to shine our light for God and be the salt of the world for Him.

Matthew 5: 13-16 is a very inspiring verse for Christians because it shows us our place in this world and the impact we must make on it. Matthew 5:13 says:

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.

When Jesus states that we are the salt of the earth, He is telling us that we are different from those who don't believe in Him. We are here on earth to "season" it and use our "saltiness", or fervor for God, to show others God's amazing love. When this passage says that salt that has lost its saltiness "is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men", it paints a huge picture of what a lot of "unsalty" Christians are going through. Just like food without seasoning has very little value, so do we when we lose our fervor for God. He cannot use us because our lifestyle has very little value to Him and the growth of His kingdom. When that happens, the world will take over our lives and it will trample us and use us for its evil desires.

In verses 14-16 of this passage, Jesus compares us Christians as lights of the world:

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.

I'm sure you know the children's song "This little light of mine". These two verses were no doubt the inspiration for it. If we live for Christ, then we will give off a "light" that will show others what Christ is like. Our main duty as Christians is to tell others about Christ and to show them His love. Just like a city on a hill cannot be hidden, we as Christians should stand out; others should be able to tell we are committed to Christ. We shouldn't hide the light that God's love produces, rather, we must live for Christ so that our light will shine brightly. When we shine our light in the darkness of this world, people will see our good deeds and praise God in Heaven.

Many Christians tend to hide the light that God gives them and they lose their saltiness for Him. If you are a Christian, and you are constantly doing what non-believers do, you are not only hiding the light that God wants you to produce, but you are helping to spread Satan's darkness by lowering the moral standards others see that Christians are to meet. Stay away from alcohol, drugs, parties and other places where sin is embraced and dress in a way that doesn't distort God's image. Dig deep into God's word and be in constant communication with Him so that you will become even more "salty". Do what you know is right and flee from what you know is wrong. The saltier you become, the brighter your light will shine and the more God will bless you and use you to further His kingdom.