Salt and Light
Background Story: Jesus often used everyday items to teach deep truths to ordinary people.
Read Matthew 5:13-16
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.
Big Idea: We are called to be salt and light.
Jesus described Christ followers as salt and light. Let’s dig a little deeper into each idea and see how it pertains to us today.
SALT: Salt has lots of functions to help preserve food and help plants grow in soil. But it also makes things taste good. Think French fries. Who wants French fries without salt? Not me! When you eat salty food, what happens? You become thirsty!
In Colossians 4:6, we read, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” As you share the good news of how Jesus has changed your life to people around you, remember grace (undeserved love or favor). You were saved because you needed a Savior. You receive grace everyday to live this Christian life. Add grace and love in all of your conversations. As you do, this salt produces thirst. Our prayer is this thirst will draw them to God where they can, “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalms 34:8).
LIGHT: We are a lantern. A lantern itself is not the light, but it is a vessel that contains the fire and is used to decrease darkness. Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
As we share the good news of Jesus with those around us, we aren’t sharing ourselves but Jesus who is the light. He is the one who reveals sin, draws the lost, and illuminates the hearts of mankind. Our job is only to shine so people see something different in us…our hope, peace, and joy as we navigate life’s challenges. As we live authentically for Him, it is a beacon in a dark world drawing people closer to find out more about this Light.
Today let’s pray God will teach us how to live in such a way that brings Him glory and draws those around us closer to Him.
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