31 August 2025

BE THE SALT AND THE LIGHT

(Biblical & Spiritual Exhortations: BSE 27)

Jesus said that His disciples are the “Salt” and the “Light” in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). That means we are expected to make an impact on the world by our exemplary lives and service for God. The world does not want to hear what we say, but they want to see who we are and what we do. As one song we used to sing in Youth For Christ says, “They are looking at your walk, not listening to your talk. They are watching your actions every day. What you are speaks so loud, they can’t hear what you say”. How very true!

The Apostle Paul told his young disciple, Timothy: “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Tim.4:12). Young or old, as believers in Christ, we should always seek to be lights shining in a world of darkness. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven” (Matt.5:16).

Being the “Salt” means that we are to influence society and people for good. Salt preserves food from going bad without refrigeration. The Christian presence is to influence society from immorality and corruption. It is the voice speaking for truth and righteousness where God has placed us. Salt also makes food palatable – makes people want to eat more because it makes food taste delicious. The Christian presence and testimony make people hunger for the Gospel and Jesus. It makes us effective witnesses for Christ.

One of the ways we influence people for Christ and the Gospel is through what we say. When people meet or gather, there is always conversation. The Christian can take advantage of this by sharing about Christ. But we need wisdom and the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us what to say at the right time. Paul gave this advice to the Church: “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of the time. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Col.4:5-6).

Let us remember that light cannot be hidden. That means the Christian is “visible” and can be easily noticed because of his Christlike behavior, for he is bearing “the Fruit of the Holy Spirit” (Gal.5:22-23). That is the same with salt. The absence of salt is very noticeable because it gives the food no taste. So Jesus said, “If the salt loses its saltiness…it is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot” (Matt.5:13). So as Christians, we are to ensure that we have an effective testimony for Christ in our school, work place or neighborhood.

They must see Christ “the Light of the world” in us by our life and action. We represent Christ as His lights in the world of darkness, as the Bible says: “so that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Phil.2:14,15 - NKJV).

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