Creator, Father, King #172

Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

SALT AND LIGHT.

We take them for granted every day. Whenever we need more salt or light, we can simply purchase extra quantities at our local stores or flip a switch.

This wasn’t the case in ancient times. Back then, salt and light were precious commodities. Salt was used to preserve food. It was so valuable, in fact, it was sometimes used as currency.

Likewise, light was extremely valuable and harder to come by. Without electricity, people relied on oil lamps, torches, and lanterns to illuminate their lives and chase away the darkness once the sun went down.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus famously used the metaphors of salt and light to teach an important lesson:

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:13-16)

What’s It Mean?

Jesus’ point is clear: just like salt preserves and flavors food, Christians preserve and flavor a lost, fallen world by their positive, godly influence. Similarly, Christians shine the gospel’s light into a world darkened by sin.

But did you notice how Jesus ends his analogy? When believers are salt and light, it brings praise to God. The question is how, exactly, do our good deeds do this?

First and foremost, as his image-bearers, we were created to worship and glorify God. When we live righteously, we fulfill our chief purpose on earth.

Our good works can also help others. This fulfills the second greatest commandment to love our neighbors (Mark 12:31), which also honors God!

Additionally, the Holy Spirit can use our good deeds to stir an unbeliever to saving faith in Jesus. What a joy it would be if, through your faithful obedience to the Lord, a nonbeliever becomes a new creation in Christ!

Be salt and light for the glory of God!

Now What?

To be salt and light, get out and serve others somewhere in your church or community.

Did You Know?

Ancient Roman soldiers sometimes received their wages in salt.