Are You Salt and Light?
Good Morning Friends,
In today’s devotional, we contemplate the silent work of influence and the visible manifestation of God combining to show the power of living authentic lives. Are You Salt and Light?
Scripture: ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot. ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:13-20 (NRSV)
Message: The message is that we are to become the message. We are to become salt and light. You see, Light has always held significance throughout scripture. Light was the first thing God created. The first words recorded in the Bible are, “Let there be light.” It is a symbol of goodness. It is a symbol of blessings. It is the message of Jesus, the light of the world, that we become sons of light. And then salt in scripture carries a two-fold significance. The positive attribute of the compound salt, is that it is used as a seasoning or flavoring to make things taste better…to preserve them. And the negative attribute of salt is that it is used in making something barren or without worth. These are characteristics that both symbolize the Blessings, and the Judgments of God. Remember what happened to Lot’s wife? However now, it is the very judgment of God that makes a person good and righteous in His sight. Because the judgment for our sins were laid upon Christ, and through His being judged in our stead, we were made righteous. So if we are going to preserve the faith we need to influence the world for Christ…we need to commit ourselves to being the salt of grace and also beacons of light for others. We need to be worth the Salt God has placed in us. We need to give the reason for the hope we have. We need to worship with our lives, sharing with gentleness and respect that we have discovered a loving God…. We have discovered a holy God. We have discovered a just God that became man and lived among us and died for us so we might live for righteousness. So in this good news… we need to pass the salt and turn on the light. Then, when people see in us the character of God, the message will spread.
People are not interested in committing their lives to Christ unless they observe an attractive and consistent pattern of living in the Christians they know. Christians are to be good news before they share the good news. When we are the silent work of influence and the visible manifestation of the light good things happen. Here light removes darkness, reveals danger and shows a path. We are to let our light shine, but we are to keep our focus on what God is doing to sanctify us as well. Friends, Jesus is the light. Jesus is the salt. So the next time you face that point of tension, remember that God uses us to help redeem people. Witness the power of God in people’s lives and our own. You with Christ are more powerful than evil.
Pray that the way we conduct our daily lives draws people toward experiencing God through a relationship with Jesus. Pray that our attitudes and actions be salt and light in just the right measure. Pray we draw lost people toward Christ with a sparkle of joy. Pray we be willing to sacrifice to live out our faith. Pray we are compassionate and kind. Pray we are consistent and real. Pray we are vulnerable and lack pretense. Pray our sprit thrives and grows as we live by convictions and priorities and not just by convenience, pleasure and gain. Pray His light shines in us. Pray we walk in the light. Pray we put on the armor of light. Pray we experience deliverance and reconciliation from the darkness. Pray we permeate with His presence into the world. Pray we: Love our neighbors as ourselves. Pray we Imitate Christ. Pray we Get to know others. Pray we share Hospitality. Pray that by our actions we Tell others about Jesus. Pray we let our light shine. Pray we are Sanctified by the Savior. Pray we are Affirming of God’s presence. Pray we become more Like Jesus more each day. Pray we are Timely with our tenderness. Pray that we be as salt and light in the world.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 