Salt and Light

I remember being a kid in Sunday School and hearing this phrase, thinking: “what on earth is Jesus talking about salt for?” Salt wasn’t just flavor for people’s food, but a preservative for it; a valuable resource for those who had access to it. We have to put ourselves in an “ancient mind” so to speak to understand a world that might not have a refrigerator, or a light fixture at midnight. Salt and Light are necessities in the same way our electricity is. It's dependable. I usually don’t have to think twice about hitting my light switch to make sure I don’t stub my toe, or having a cold glass of milk from the fridge. Jesus calls us to be not only a luxury to those around us, but dependable and valuable so our actions point only to Him. Our actions point others to Christ! Let's not waste that opportunity. Don’t hide His love from the world!
The second half of each set of statements is a warning. Don’t lose your saltiness. Don’t lose your brightness. This sounds similar to Galatians 6 when Paul is encouraging the church in verse 9 to “not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up”. Let us not lose our functionality as Christians because we grow complacent. During the day I teach people firearms safety and marksmanship and I always tell my students “There is no such thing as an accident with firearms, only complacency and lack of training”. When we are complacent we fail to follow through on the things we ought to do, which is a recipe for us to stumble. We have to remember that the things Jesus teaches aren’t instructions for the sake of instructions, He instructs because He knows what is best for us! We should seek training in godliness (1 Timothy 4:8) so we can prevent complacency, keep our saltiness and finish well (2 Timothy 4:7).
- Quentin Parker

[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ Why do you think this portion of the Sermon on the Mount was given immediately after the beatitudes?

[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ What is one way you might have “lost your saltiness”? How can you get it back?

[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Father, thank you for the breath of life and the ability to worship you in all we do. Show us the ways we can be the light as you call us to be. Convict us and sanctify us as we lean into your Word and instruction. Thank you for being the author and perfector of our faith. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.