That ChurchSampel

SALT AND LIGHT

Our desire is that we fully embrace being THAT CHURCH that brings the LIGHT of Jesus into the world, and that looks like action not just talk. "For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power" - 1 Corinthians 4:20.

When the Church is moved to action and mobilised to make a difference, our light shines. When we GO out into the world and into our everyday lives and we DO GOOD DEEDS we are bringing the LIGHT of Jesus to LIGHT up the world around us. The Church must never become so insular, so insider focused that we become a dim, irrelevant and forgotten part of the world.

Matthew 5:13-16 shows the two traits of what our Church aims to be: salt and light.

So, what are salt and light? Salt adds flavour. Light brings sight. We must never lose our saltiness that we become ineffective at adding tangible value to people’s everyday life.

We must never hide our light that we fade into the dim, dark shadows of society. Jesus said, GO INTO THE WORLD! We are not on the earth to escape the world, we are on the earth to bring the salt and light of the Kingdom of Jesus into every sphere, every system and every organisation around us.

Verse 16 encourages us to be salt and light so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. A good example of this is the experience of Titus in Crete. Paul talks to Titus in Crete, a city that was full of liars and evil brutes (Titus 1:12).

And in this city of liars and evil, Paul tells them to be counter-cultural to “do good.” It sounds almost too light, a statement without power. But Paul knows that the result of the people of God being “salt” and “light” in their community. The people will see their good deeds and glorify God in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

"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. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. 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". - Matthew 5:13-16

Prayer Point: Lord, help our Church to be salt and light in our community and families. Help me to bring the flavour of Jesus and the light in the darkness. I pray Lord, that you would help me to do good works that bring you glory. Open my eyes to see the good deeds that you are asking me to do in my workplace, family, and community.