Values Blog
Simply Salt and Light
“You are the salt of the earth. … You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:13-14
Warning to all of you mannerly people who know that there are two things one should never discuss in polite conversation. Yes, I am about to talk about both. And before you cozy up to your computer expecting to read a rant against the liberal media and its unfair treatment of our conservative evangelical views in this year’s election, let me warn you again. This one is about us. I hope it is not viewed as a rant at all but as a heart-felt reminder of both who and whose we are.
We are the salt of the earth. While I’ve heard many discourses on the varied uses of salt—as a preservative, as something to cause thirst, even as a medicine—Jesus chose to focus on salt’s taste. I think that means we should be the savory flavor of Christ in every cultural soup in which we find ourselves. That’s all. We should be who we are and not try to lessen our saltiness by watering down our beliefs. But neither should we try to overpower the culture by pouring salt into the wounds of those who are ignorant of the Gospel. Returning evil for evil and losing our saltiness in the dilution of our character makes us “no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men.” We are salt—let’s be salt.
We are the light of the world. Light illuminates. It cannot be hidden nor can it be kept in isolation. Light shines for all who are there to see it. And we are to be the “light.” Just as Jesus is the Light, we are His representatives in the world. And just as there were those who cringed in His “light” and the truth it revealed, there are those who are repelled by our “light” today. In efforts to extinguish the light of truth, we are ridiculed and demeaned, but we are still “light.” We don’t have to act as interrogators and point our flashlights into the eyes of those who oppose us. We simply have to be what Jesus says we are—we are “light.”
We are the children of God. In the town where I live, it is a common thing to hear someone ask, “Who are your people?” Meaning, of course, who are your parents, your grandparents, your aunts and uncles—you know—your people. As believers, we are people of God. Our words and our actions reflect on our Father. No matter what tone this campaign season takes, we are to live as children of God. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:43-45). We are His children—let’s honor our Father.
Okay. That wasn’t so bad. We get it. We should act as “salt” and “light” and children of God. No. That’s not it. Jesus said that we are these things. Get the difference? It’s not an act. It’s who we are. As the election approaches, we’ll have many opportunities to be “salt” and “light.” Maybe a neighbor will ask who you are voting for, and you’ll be able to talk about your values (flowing out of biblical precepts) as Christians. Maybe a coworker, who is as rude as I am and doesn’t mind talking about politics and religion, will confront you about your choice. Don’t argue. Don’t water down the truth. Just be who God has made you to be. Be “salt” and be “light.” It’s who we are. Or at least who are supposed to be.
[By Lisa Huddleston]
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