If you have been serving Christ for a number of years it can be easy to occasionally dismiss Jesus' teachings with "yeah, I've read that before." Unfortunately, at such moments the power of his message will be passed over before it can sink down into our hearts to further transform our lives. Jesus' discussion of salt and light in Matthew 5:13-16 is a prime candidate for such a superficial reading.
Immediately upon the heels of the beatitudes where Jesus skillfully sculpted the image of the heart which should drive a Christian's life, he launched into a discussion of our relationship to the world around us. Using the language of purpose he explained that we are to be the salt and light of the world. Our function is to change the world around us.
Rather than be the consumers of the world or the silos of the world, one of our purposes is to be agents for God in transforming the world. The disciple never needs to embark upon the quest to discover "who am I" and "what is my purpose?" Our purpose is anchored in a divine mandate.
What is the nature of this change and how are am I to affect those around me? Jesus specifically pointed to our role in doing good works which would cause others to glorify God. Matthew 5:16 Jesus' words would later be echoed by various New Testament authors. Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 2:12; 4:11.
But Jesus' teaching did much more than simply provide a meaningful direction and function for our lives, it also unleashed the stringent warning, "if salt is not salty ... it is no longer good for anything except to be discarded and trampled under foot by men." Matthew 5:13 We have been bought with a price so we must ensure that we fulfill our purpose. Do good unto others that God might be glorified.
Barry Newton, Copyright © 2001
Other articles which may be of interest:
From Consumers to CommunityDanger for Long-Term Christians