WE ARE SALTAND LIGHT!

WE
ARE SALTAND LIGHT!

Matt
5:13-16

13
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith
shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and
to be trodden under foot of men.

14
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick;
and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven.

           
Two
metaphors are used by the Lord to describe believers who must live in
this world. The first is “salt” and we immediately understand that salt
enhances flavor making the food more palatable. Salt also is a preservative and
we are reminded that we live in a decaying world. In some cases salt is also a
healer, although it is never welcome when applied to the wound. 

In
checking one commentary, I learn that the word salt, figuratively, is prudence.
So we provide flavor to the tasteless; life to that which is decaying; and
caution to those who are out of control. It’s important to remember that salt
does not become salt through desire or labor. Salt is simply salt. It is part
of inward nature.

           
Light,
on the other hand has an outward focus. Jesus, Himself, called it “good works”
Light always enhances vision and always reveals things to be as they really
are. Light never praises or promotes itself but that upon which it shines. Our
good works should always “glorify” the Father. The word glorify is the Greek doxazo
which means “to render glorious.”

Dear
Lord, I can only be as salty as I truly am but let me shine my light so as to
glorify you. AMEN