Good Morning Friends,
Jesus says we are both salt and light, so the world is watching us to see if we measure up. In our role, as Christians we are to help people around us so that they do not slip and fall. We are to be encouragers of healthy behavior. With great love and kindness, we are to help people recognize their mistakes and seek God’s I.V. spiritual saline solution for our dehydrated souls, to preserve us for a purpose. We are to let others see Christ in us regardless of time and place. So, Are You Effective Salt And Light In Both Good Times And Bad?
Scripture: As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been “Yes and No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not “Yes and No”; but in him it is always “Yes.” For in him every one of God’s promises is a “Yes.” For this reason it is through him that we say the “Amen,” to the glory of God. But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.
2 Corinthians 1:18-22 (NRSV)
“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 under foot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 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.
Matthew 5:13-16 (NRSV)
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NRSV)
Message: We need Christ just as much in our bright, prosperous, celebrations and worship as in the times of darkness, misfortune, and despair. We are quite capable of thinking, in error, that faith is only for sickrooms and funerals, and for times of great sorrow and trial. Surely it is true that Christians are to be as a lamp to shine at night, a staff to help when the road is rough, a friendly hand to support each other when we are stumbling. But that is not the whole story. Jesus went to the marriage-feast as well as to the home of sorrow. Christ’s Good News is just as much for our joy as for our grief. There are just as many comforts, promises, divine encouragements, and blessings above us when we have earthly success as when we are in our nights of pain and shadow. We are to rejoice in all things. For as Jesus taught, being the “salt” means there must be a lot of unsavory challenges in the world. Being the “light” means there must be plenty of darkness around us. We are not supposed to be like the rest of the world. We are supposed to be different. In fact, our difference is what makes us unique and effective. We are supposed to be salty and sometimes a little irritating! The way we live our lives is supposed to bring a new taste, a new flavor to the table. And sometimes it needs to have a little bite. We are supposed to be living in such a way that we stand out in stark contrast to those around us. Then notice what Jesus says. If we lose our difference and distinction, if we look and act just like the world, the world will throw out our truth and walk right over us. If we minimize our differentiation, we will be marginalized. Our difference is what makes us different! If we are like everybody else, then we cannot lead. We are salt and light, empowered and purposeful. Be who God made you to be. Know that in all things for God is good, all the time.
And So, we as Jesus’ followers today are called to read today’s passage from Matthew, this section of the Sermon on the Mount, as both a vocation and a warning to not lose our vocation by failing to respond to the call. We are to preserve all that is good for the nations.. What was once applied to ancient Israel is for us now too as followers of Jesus and the message is beyond how to have a good life. It is about obeying God’s calling for us.
Pray we are a light in the darkness as well as a witness in the noonday sun. Pray we see ourselves as God sees us and act like God expects us to act. Pray we value the spirit of God in others, and humbly love one another. Pray God showcase Himself through us in all our ways. Pray we are guided by the light and preserved by the salt for the purpose God has set for us. Pray we quit trying to fit into the world but instead in the Spirit transform it. Pray we are witnesses to God’s glory. Pray we bring God our offerings of salt and light our very being. Pray we realize that this is the day the Lord has made, and we are to rejoice and be glad in it no matter what it brings for we bring with us God’s Spirit of Salt and Light.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 