Salt and Light OR Decay and Darkness
Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV)
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Jesus calls us “salt and light” when we follow Him. Salt, of course has many qualities. It was used in preserving meats; seasoning; healing; purifying; a part of sacrifices (Leviticus 2:13); a symbol of covenant (Numbers 18:19); and it represents value as people were often paid in salt among other things.
I read that salt is a kind of miracle. It’s composed of 2 poisons: chloride and sodium. If you ingest either by itself, you’ll die. One is a reactive element, the other is unstable. But put them together and you have common, ordinary salt, and that which separately could bring death somehow comes together to bring life, and that’s a miracle! The followers of Jesus can be like the salt compound. Separate we can be reactive and unstable, but together we can bring life with the good news of Jesus. It’s another type of miracle.
The very coming of Jesus was a miracle. He existed in the beginning as the word and as God (John 1). He came through the virgin birth to live a sinless life. Yet, He took on Himself the sins of humanity and died on our behalf. He was then resurrected to life and invites us to join Him. Sin and death should lead to our deaths but there is a miracle here. Jesus’ death produces life.
Let me show you an important verse, 1 Corinthians 2:8 (ESV):
8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Did you catch that? If the rulers of the age had understood the resurrection of Jesus, they would not have put Him to death. They thought they had won. They thought that when that tomb was closed and the stone was sealed it was all over. They did not grasp the third day. They did not know He would return from the dead.
This miracle of resurrection brings death and life to us. Let me show you another passage. Romans 5:20-6:4 (ESV):
20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 1What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Jesus came to increase grace because the Law points out our sins. He lived the Law 100% where we could not. We don’t abuse the grace of God by sinning to get more grace, but we die to sin by the death of Jesus and we live in newness of life by His resurrection.
What does that newness of life look like? It certainly isn’t going back to the old things that separated us from God. There is something new that Jesus describes as “salt and light.”
How would you describe the culture we are living in? Would you describe it as “salt and light” or something else? Maybe it’s just my imagination but would you say there is a spiritual war going on? Would you say our society is darker and is decaying more than it used to?
If you take away the “salt of the earth” from a society the preservative powers of that salt go away. As a result, decay comes in and a culture is ruined. If you take away the “light of the world” you will have darkness (whether that light comprises the disciples of Jesus or Jesus Himself as in John 9:5).
It is not a stretch to see that we have not been preserving our culture or shedding light on truth. Marxists have been chipping away at the foundations of America for years and have just about brought down the nation. Maybe we thought that what we have had would always be without having to be vigilant in its protection.
Thomas Jefferson said:
And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.
That doesn’t sound easy, does it? It sounds like we have to be willing to put up a fight to preserve our Liberty even though no one wants to literally do as Jefferson described. But, people in Cuba are marching against their Communist oppressors. They are willing to refresh the tree of liberty. They are willing to get out and make the effort to be free of tyranny. Too many Americans and especially American Christians don’t seem to want to be bothered. The form of government doesn’t matter to them – yet, that is.
Our ancestors gave us a country rich in freedom. There can be no question about that. Over the years we have not done our job in intentionally being salt and light. We have been distracted and as a result the work of God, including the freedoms He intends for us, have not been of much importance to us. Jesus said that putting the kingdom first is a blessing.
So, if American Christians have not made being salt and light in our country a priority we must ask, “Why not?” The responsibility is laid first at the feet of preachers, pastors, elders, deacons, and other church leaders who have abandoned that responsibility. Too many play the “ostrich card” and want to hide their heads in the sand hoping someone will fix the ills of society and they won’t have to get involved.
Charles Finney was an evangelist during the “Second Great Awakening.” He pointed out this issue and laid the responsibility where it belongs. He said:
“If there is a decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the public press lacks moral discernment, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the church is degenerate and worldly, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the world loses its interest in Christianity, the pulpit is responsible for it. If Satan rules in our halls of legislation, the pulpit is responsible for it. If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it. Let us not ignore this fact, my dear brethren; but let us lay it to heart, and be thoroughly awake to our responsibility in respect to the morals of this nation.”
There is a direct correlation between the pulpits in America and the immoral legislations in Congress. It is my personal opinion that when American pulpits abdicated their responsibility to hold our government accountable a vacuum in leadership arose. That leadership vacuum was quickly filled by the ungodly and self-promoting leaders, many of whom wear the title of “Christian” but fail to practice it.
So many preachers and church leaders do not want to “dirty themselves” with politics. So, they neglect to speak out regarding the institution of government that God ordained. Often, this is because church members don’t want to hear it and rather than speaking on what may be needed, preachers preach what is wanted, lite and fluffy sermons with little to no current application. If we make applications to relevant issues there is a call to action that many want to ignore. AND, if preachers were to take their role seriously, they might lose members and financial contributions; that is, the old “nickels and noses syndrome.” So, we have mostly abandoned our responsibilities as salt and light.
In 2015 George Barna made a survey of American churches and found that 8% had a biblical worldview. That is, those churches saw every aspect of their lives was to be under Jesus’ Lordship. These did not do what the remaining 92% did – compartmentalize their lives with secular and sacred compartments.
He repeated a similar survey in 2020. He found that the percentage dropped to 6%! Instead of improving, there is decline in our biblical worldview.
Barna also did a survey among preachers. He asked them if the Bible addresses controversial issues like government, homosexuality, etc. 90% said yes, the Bible does. He then asked if they would preach on these topics. 90% said, “No!” When he explored the reasons he found – wait for it – “Nickels and Noses.” If we preach on these issues we will lose people and money, so we won’t.
Notice Paul’s questions in Galatians 1:10 (ESV):
10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
That is a hard questions for preachers. As a former full-time preacher, I understand the struggle. I understand that there is a job on the line. I understand that preachers want approval. I understand that preachers want to influence people for good but if they upset people there is no influence.
But I also understand that the preacher should not be muzzled or edited. If he is led by the Spirit of God, he is to preach what God shows him rather than what people may want to hear. There is a great danger of “ear tickling” instead of “truth telling.”
Do you remember 2 Timothy 4:1-4 (ESV)?
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
There’s an old saying, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” Someone added, “But you can feed him salt.” As salt, we not only preserve, we can make people thirsty for the “living water” of Jesus. In John 7:37-38 (ESV) He stated:
37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
People need to be thirsty in order to seek water. By the way, when you are thirsty, there is nothing like water to quench thirst. Christians can be that as can preachers and maybe especially preachers.
What’s the preacher’s job? Preach the word. Pretty simple, right? It is until that word starts convicting people of their own sinful behavior or that of their loved ones. Speaking against homosexuality is no longer allowed among some churches because it seems offensive to their members, especially those who have had family members involved in the sin. The Gay community is offended and the aggressive Gay community may literally strike back over it. It is becoming has become hate speech for many, even Christians.
So, preachers and church leaders simplify the preaching schedule and leave off the controversial issues to just preach the “meek and mild Jesus who loves everybody, never gets upset, and would never raise His voice.” Tell that the money changers in the temple when He drove them out. Tell that to those on His left when He separates the nations at His coming and says for them to “depart.” The Book of Revelation describes Him as strong, not weak; aggressive, not nice; and solid, not soft. He’s coming back as conqueror, King, and Judge, all pictures of power.
We put salt into a salt shaker, but if we don’t shake the shaker and sprinkle salt on our food that salt shaker is merely a container. Churches who don’t get involved in their communities are merely contained in their church buildings the same way. Our lack of involvement in our communities leads to a lack of salt and light there.
This is a serious issue that is laid right at the feet of church leaders. Recently a couple at a large church decided to move their membership to what many call a “Patriot Church.” The reason for it came when they decided to check out the stance of their church on some of the controversial key issues. So, they went to one of the ministers on staff and asked what the “official position” was for their congregation on abortion. He dodged the question by saying, “Well, we have members on both sides of the issue.” By not taking a biblical stand on the subject, the couple decided to leave and find a church that would.
Think, though, there could be hundreds of people in that church that do not care about aborted babies. Church is just an exercise. It is just a country club of activities. Why? Because preachers aren’t preaching and church leaders aren’t leading.
I want to encourage you to check out your church’s position and role in the community. Does your church have a biblical worldview? Is Jesus Lord of every part of life for your church or just Sunday mornings?
If your church has the “nickel and noses” mentality you might want to consider finding a new church that will stand up as salt and light for truth in the community. Find a church that wants to preserve the truths of God to prevent the decay of society. They want to shed light on truth so people can see God.
So, how do you know if your church is about “nickels and noses” or about salt and light? The easiest way is to investigate by asking the right questions. You can also make observations. If your Pastor, Preacher, Elders, Deacons, or other Leaders are more concerned about peace, comfort, and ease than standing up for Jesus there is probably a problem.
On one occasion Jesus said in Matthew 5:9 (ESV):
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
On another occasion He said:
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:34-39, ESV)
So, which is it? Is it making peace or is it bringing a sword? Of course, the answer is that it is both. There are occasions when we set about the task of making peace with God and with people. Romans 12:18 (ESV) reads:
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
We are responsible for peaceful coexistence – as much as possible. But there are times when it is out of our control. There are times when we choose to follow Jesus over the peace with people. Preachers sometimes need to let approval go in order to preach what is needed, not what is popular.
Did you also notice in Jesus’ statement about the sword in Matthew 10 that He is very exclusive? If we love our family members more than we love Him we are not worthy of Him. If we love our own lives more than we love Him we are not worthy of Him. That’s a tough thought for Christians and church leaders.
There is a funny thing that happens when we study the Bible. The Bible actually studies us. Have you experienced that? You sit down to read and study or you attend a class or sermon and suddenly, you are having your life evaluated right before your eyes! This is why the writer of Hebrews says:
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)
This is why we need to hear the word. This is why we need to apply the word. This is why we do not need to edit the word.
There are times to emphasize being salt and light in regards to truth. That time is now. The time has come when Pastors, Preachers, and other church leaders are going to be either applauded by Jesus or disciplined by Him. Just like Finney said, what goes on in the community is the responsibility of the pulpit and we have obviously not been doing a very good job. We have caved to the pressures of “nickels and noses” to the detriment of our hearers,
Our Founding Fathers’ generation knew the Bible. A Puritan preacher was required to know Greek and Hebrew (not just to have studied them) as well as be able to quote the entire Book of Psalms. I’d fail those requirements and so would most of the preachers I know. You can read many of the famous quotes of our Founders and hear scripture ring through their words. They may not have literally quoted book, chapter, and verse, but you can still hear the scriptures speaking through them.
Before we close, let me remind you of our beginning verses. Jesus said that we are salt and light for the purposes of pointing people to God. He also tells us that if we lose our saltiness and if we hide our lights we are good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men. So, we have a choice about what we will do.
Jesus doesn’t say we ought to be salt and light, He says we ARE those things. The right thing to do is to let those qualities come out. Preserve and season as salt (as well as all of the other things salt does).
We are to let light shine. We can do things like quenching the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5). If we just let things work like God intended, the Spirit and light will flow through us and impact the world for God. Let us just be who God called us to be!
What are some practical ways to be salt and light today? Here are a few:
• Be active in your community and supportive of people
• Serve others whenever possible – Using words when necessary.
• Practice self-control, especially in difficult situations; anger and frustration are readily seen but rarely patience and self-control
• Tell people your story of coming to Christ, scars and all. People often need to have someone with whom they can identify and know they are not alone.
Keep the Light of Your Calling Burning!
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