THE SALT & THE LIGHT
BEING SALT AND LIGHT- PASTOR DANIEL RHODES
Deliberately seek to influence the people in one's life by showing them the unconditional love of Christ through good deeds. Every Christian is called by God to be an influence on the world around them. Jesus began teaching this concept early in his ministry when he told his disciples that he would make them fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19) Then, in the Sermon on the Mount, he used the illustrations of salt and light. (Matthew 5:13-16)
Both salt and light have properties that affect things around them.
Salt is used to enhance flavor, and as a preservative. To 'be salt' means to deliberately seek to influence the people in one's life by showing them the unconditional love of Christ through good deeds. Light is a symbol used to mean awareness, knowledge, and understanding. To 'be light' means to be a witness to others concerning the truth of God's Word, especially about who Christ is and how he died and rose again for our salvation.
When Jesus taught these things, his audience was composed of Israelites. As God's chosen people, they possessed the Word of God, and were salt and light in the world. Gradually, throughout Jesus' teaching ministry, he refined this idea that each one who followed him was to have a spiritual impact on those around them. He sent them out to all the towns around them to preach repentance and the coming of the Kingdom of God.
By the end of his earthly ministry, Christ had made it clear that the gospel was to have a universal application. He commanded his followers to go and teach all nations, to baptize them, and teach them everything he had taught. (Matthew 28:18-20) This has properly been taken as a mandate for all Christians to spread the gospel of Christ to everyone. This includes both concepts of salt and light. We are to do as much good in the name of Christ as we can, and we are to share the light of the gospel with as many as we can.
More than just a command, what is known as the Great Commission is also a wonderful privilege. Christ offers eternal life as an incomparable gift. Sharing the good news of that gift with others is one of the greatest joys of the Christian life.
- Pastor Daniel Rhodes
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