Salt and Light

Can We “Season” And “Shine”?

In his book “The Pursuit of Holiness“ (in reference to Matthew 5:13-14) Jerry Bridges writes “God has left us in the world to be both salt and light.”

Salt-

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” Matthew 5:13 NKJV

Mr. Bridges goes into detail about how to live holy in an unholy world and what that means for the Christian. “The use of salt as a metaphor to describe our relationship to the world teaches us that Christians are to be a preserving power, an antiseptic, an agent to prevent and retard decay.”

Dr. William Hendriksen writes, “Salt combats deterioration. Similarly Christians, by showing themselves to be Christians indeed, are constantly combatting moral and spiritual decay…To be sure, the world is wicked. Yet God alone knows how far more corrupt it would be without the restraining example, life, and prayers of the saints.” (New Testament Commentary: Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew)

Just think about that – God has left us in the world to be His salt and light. I don’t know about you, but this is a ”aha” moment for me. What are the implications? What is my duty? My role?

Can we be the salt and the light? Can we season and shine?

“Sing Unto The Lord All The Earth” video from the album “Chronicles 16: A Psalm in Rock by Don Rutherford”. Filmed on Easter 2020, Daytona Beach, Florida.

Light-

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV

I love that we are light because Jesus gave us this light. He asks us not to hide our light but to shine it brightly before all men and women.

Yes, you are the “Light of the world”. We are bearers of the good news – the gospel, and as light burning with the fire of heaven, our “good works” should reflect our heavenly Father.

So, do we have Christ-like character, conversation, and conduct?

I do struggle with this one as I can certainly be childish falling into all kinds of sinful habits like jealousy, gossip, gluttony, and outbursts of anger.

What do we do when we step out of Christ-like character, conversation, and conduct? We go to God in prayer, repent, and turn away from our sin. By God’s grace, we are forgiven and there is nothing like having a God that loves us this much.

So let us be joyful in this awesome revelation that Jesus has given us His light! He asks us to be like salt, to shine brightly, and to glorify God in all that we do.

Go out into the world and season the world with love. Shine our light brightly by Christ-like conduct, conversation, and good works. The two, salt and light, work together – preserving and illuminating.

Yes, we can season and shine!

Because you are the salt and light of the earth, let your love and the Spirit of Christ season and illuminate the world.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law Galatians 5:222-23

The Bible says:

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (KJV)

To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. Titus 3:2

That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11 (KJV)

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5 (KJV)

Remember –

“You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8, (NKJV)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 NKJV

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