Scripture:
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 can not 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.
Observation:
If you have a red-letter bible, these words would be in red. They come straight from Jesus. HE is speaking to a multitude of people, teaching them about influence and how important it is to know that the world is watching. Now, the first reference HE makes is of a preservative… salt… you could sit and wonder why that it is that HE refers to the people as a preservative. To explain this, I would like to look at the word influence. What does it mean, and why would Jesus refer to the church as salt? The word influence means the capacity to affect the behavior of others. Now, how does that relate to salt? Well, salt is one of the best preservatives there is. It affects what it touches. Salt keeps something from decaying or rotting. Jesus Christ was informing those whom HE was teaching that they could influence those around them and keep them in a position to bring glory to GOD. To preserve them. But what good is salt if it has no effects on what it touches or if it has an adverse effect? What if it does not do what it’s supposed to or even does the exact opposite? It’s not even good to be walked on at that point. On to the next set of verses.
Jesus tells those whom HE is teaching that they are the light of the world. Now, why light? Well, its simple light exposes things that are in the dark. If you are standing in a dark room, you can’t see, but if you turn the light on the darkness that once occupied, that room has no choice… it has to leave. Light drives out darkness. It has authority over it. So, in short, both of the things that Jesus associates or refers to these people as… has an effect on what is around it. So, just to finish off the last group of verses, GOD directed me to this morning… Jesus says, “So let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.a
Application:
I wanted to write about influence this morning. It was just on my heart. I see the events that took place and have taken place as a result. My heart is burdened. I recently went to a men’s conference. What took place there was a great opportunity for the light that GOD has called us to be to shine so bright that the world can see the unity of the church and praise our Father in heaven. It would be very easy to focus on the negative aspects of that conference because there was no shortage. But I don’t want to do that. I want to talk about the effect that the gospel had there. In all, there were about 10,000 men there. 500 of them answered the call of the Holy Spirit and gave their life to Christ. What an amazing moment. To watch 500 men overwhelmed with gratitude for what Jesus did on the cross. There were men of GOD who spoke the absolute truth. That part was very refreshing and much needed. To drive back the darkness and preserve the behavior of the church. That’s what you are called to do. Now, how does that happen… well, it’s as simple as turning the light on. Our behavior has an effect on those around us. Have you ever noticed that a smile is contagious? And kind words go further than anything else. That’s not to say that we are to ignore the darkness we are to drive it out… but how… LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE SO THAT OTHERS WILL SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS and know that you… didn’t do that. Our lives are preservative. Our light is for GOD’S glory. This life is about HIM, not us. However, we must remember that the world is watching. They will gauge their reaction to what the church does. Are you still salty? Do you need more oil for your lamp? Are you a thermostat or thermometer? Are you affecting change or just reflecting it? I want my life to affect the change needed to preserve the church as a whole. To set the temperature, not just reflect it. I know that I’m getting a little long-winded, and I apologize. GOD has given each one of us a circle of influence. My question is, what are you doing in yours? Affecting change or just reflecting it. Be a thermometer, stay salty, and chase out the dark by being the light. As the church, that’s your job.
Prayer:
Father, you know what you made us to be. You know where you have placed us and why. This life is not about us. It’s about who you have placed around us. You have placed us to preserve those around us and be the change we want to see in others. You made us to set the temperature, and that’s our desire. Help us to do so. We can not do it without you. Lead us, show us, guide us, and keep our focus on the good in a world that is so focused on the negative. Let our light shine to drive back the darkness. Refill our lamps so they shine even brighter. Fan Into flames the gifts and callings on all those who take time to read this. We love you in so many ways. Thank you, Father, for preserving our lives so that we could make disciples. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.