Last week I discussed the presence of evil in the world, and we saw that evil exists basically because when sin entered the world it brought with it a curse on all of creation. We said that the solution to our problem of evil is simply Jesus. People who don’t know Jesus need his forgiveness, and those who have received his forgiveness must surrender to him and allow him to change us. The more fully devoted followers of Christ there are, the fewer people there will be who do evil things.
That’s really an oversimplified answer, but it’s true. And it begs the next question: While we’re alive on a cursed planet, what can Christians do to make a difference? If the answer to the question of evil is Jesus, then are we supposed to just sit on the sideline and hope more people follow Jesus? Or is there something that we’re supposed to be doing?
Jesus answered that question in Matthew 5:13-16 – “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world – like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
What in the world does it mean to be salt? We tend to think of salt as something that makes food taste better, but in Jesus’ day, even in our grandparents’ day, salt was known primarily as a food preserver.
One morning I took my kids to eat a big country breakfast. My daughter asked me, “Dad, what’s the difference between city ham and country ham?” So being a good dad I went into a long explanation of how city ham is lightly cured and refrigerated, and it gets its name because refrigeration was only available in the city, whereas country ham is dry-cured by being packed in salt and doesn’t need refrigeration because of the salt, that it will taste really salty, and that it gets its name because salt-curing was the only way to preserve meat out in the country. She ordered some eggs with country ham, and I will never forget the look on her face when her plate came to the table with one humongous piece of ham that completely overflowed her plate. She has never forgotten the difference between city ham and country ham.
Of the many uses of salt that Jesus was pointing to, one is that salt is used to preserve, and we are to be salt in our world, not people who conform to the world. Our culture is going rotten, and we as Christians are to preserve the truth about right and wrong. The world is going crazy, but we are its reminder that there is right and there is wrong and there are consequences for our actions.
Salty Christians are the people who refuse to cheat on a test when they have the opportunity, even though it could make a big difference to them. Salty Christians are the people who turn down a promotion because even though it means a lot more money, it also means a lot more time away from their family, and they’ve made family a priority. Salty Christians are the guys who go on business trips with other guys who think that marriage rules don’t apply when they’re on the road, and the salty guy stays at the motel instead of going out. Salty Christians stand up and point out the evil of things the Bible calls sin, even when taking that stand means going complete against the flow of culture.
Jesus says you are also the light of the world. I think this means that our lives and our words should always light the path to Jesus. As believers, we are to live our lives in such a way that people see our lives, our decisions, our words, our integrity, and they connect the way we live with our relationship with Jesus.
Be an honest person, be a caring person, tell people you will pray for them. Most of the people you know probably have had very few people to pray for them by name. Serve people, love people, and be honest and open about the fact that the reason you are the way you are is because of your relationship with Jesus. Grow in your personal walk with God so that what people see in you, when times are good and when you’re dealing with difficulty and stress, is a reflection of Jesus. Be the light that points the way to Jesus.
Wherever you are, you’re salt and light. Jesus didn’t say this is what we should be, he said it’s what we are. On your job, in your family, in your class, on your team, in your neighborhood, you are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. If you want this world to be a better place, ask yourself if you are being the salt and light you are called to be.