Matthew 5:13-16

In the first few verses of this sermon, Jesus has explained to the disciples the heart, character, and attitude of a true follower of Christ. The first 12 verses of this sermon are a powerful message concerning how God wants to transform our hearts, and make us different men and women that will truly affect the world around us. In these next few verses, Jesus states how our lives will influence the world around us. He continues speaking directly and pointedly to His disciples, and emphasizes this message by using the word you or your 171 times. As you read through this sermon, your attention should be aroused by declarations, “You are the salt of the earth,” and “You are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:13-14), or with commands, “You cannot serve God and Mammon,” or, “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Matt. 6:24; 7:2). Throughout this sermon Jesus spoke with power and authority! This is why at the end of this sermon Matthew records, “When Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matt. 7:28-29).

We continue now with Jesus explaining to the disciples how they would affect the world around them. What was to be their place in this world, and the purpose for their existence? Jesus taught them, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.”

These two metaphors.

What is the obvious meaning of these two metaphors? Metaphors and similes are a literary technique used by authors to illustrate truths that might be hard for someone to fully grasp. Metaphors are like a word picture that people can easily understand and conceptualize. In this case, when Jesus told the disciples that they were to be salt and light in this world, He was revealing to them their purpose and place in His Kingdom, while they still remained in this world. Let me explain why this is so important to fully grasp what your purpose is as a believer. Many times, I have had people come to me and say, “Steve, I am a (carpenter, plumber, housewife, or secretary), but I feel like what I do for work is so meaningless in relation to the kingdom of God. What is the eternal purpose for what I do in my profession?” My response to them is, “You are missing the actual purpose for why you have been saved, and why you are alive.” When any Christian thinks this way, it is because they have failed to focus on the real purpose for their life in this world. I explain to them, “Before you were a carpenter, a doctor, an attorney, a nurse, or a secretary, you are first and foremost a Christian. As a believer, you are then called to be salt and light in this world. Becoming salt and light must be your primary calling as a Christian, and it should override any other thing you do. Your life is more than your profession in this world. You are to be His salt and light in this dark world! If you lose sight of your primary purpose for why God saved you, then you will believe your work here is meaningless, which is catastrophic for anyone, but especially for a believer. This is also why your profession seems so meaningless to you, because you have missed your primary purpose for life. Why are you alive? Why have you been saved, and called into His Kingdom? Never forget that you are to be His salt and light in this world! Jesus needs people who are salt and light in every profession in this world. How else could other plumbers, doctors, and secretaries ever hear the gospel from one of their own? This is why Jesus started this sermon with this message, because it was and is critical for every believer to see his or her true calling in life. Do you see it? Do you believe it?

How can you be the salt of the earth?

Salt has a threefold purpose. First, salt was a preservative against corruption. Therefore, it is an image that speaks of purity and of holiness. Salt was used throughout Scripture that was used in direct opposition to leaven. Leaven has also used as a metaphor many times in Scripture. The bread that the people ate at Passover, or the sacrifices that the people offered under the Old Covenant had to be free of leaven. Leaven was a corrupting agent, and salt was a purifying agent. Scripture tells us that every single sacrifice that was offered before God was to be seasoned with salt. You see this truth taught in Leviticus 2:13 where it declares, “In every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering.” Note that this passage is very specific when it declared, “In every offering... you shall season with salt.” Therefore, salt was this picture of a preservative here under the Old Covenant. Of course, in those days when they slaughtered an animal, they had no refrigeration; they could not just put some of their meat into the freezer. What they did to protect the meat was to simply rub salt onto it which kept it from decaying and corrupting. Clearly then, salt was a protection and a preservative against corruption, just as each of us is to be what preserves this world from descending into total depravity and perversion. 

Second, salt was a flavoring agent for food just as it is today. Note that even Jesus here in this text identified that salt brought flavor to food (Vs. 13). It is clear then that the purpose of salt was also to season your meat. I love salt on many things that I eat. Think of what food would taste like without any salt? Today most of the processed food that we buy in our stores has a very high salt content already included in it. Why is it there? It is a preserving agent that we still use today for the preservation of the food, but it is also there for flavor. Just go buy a can of vegetables that has no salt added. You can surely tell the difference. We are to be the flavor to this bland and corrupt world, which is a picture of the influence Jesus wants us to have in this world. You are to be the flavor of Christ in this world. You are to give zest to the world, because of who you are in Christ. So, first you preserve those around you from corruption in the world, and then you must influence them with the love of Jesus Christ. Remember, don’t lose that flavor and zest of His love, or you miss the purpose of your calling.  

Third, salt is fundamental to sustaining life in this world. Scientists who understand the structure of the cell and the processes that occur within the cells of your body, explain that without salt your cell could not function, because without salt cells cannot reproduce. Why? Salt regulates the hydration of the cell, and thus regulates your entire body. Salt also regulates the elimination of toxins from every single cell within you. Therefore, salt is essential for life, and you could not exist without it. Never forget that the first thing that happens to you when you enter the emergency room after a serious accident is a nurse will give you an IV of saline solution to get you hydrated.  

Therefore, these are the images that Jesus was trying to draw with this sermon for each of His disciples. He was telling His disciples that they were to be a preservative in the world, because of the life of Christ that was within them. This preserving effect would be the result of their following Him, and because of the power of the Holy Spirit that would enable them to be like Jesus in this world. Christ in you, is what preserves your relationships with others, what preserves your church and your nation. This is also why Jesus told His disciples to have salt in themselves. In Mark 9:49-50 He said, “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.” Notice that Jesus brought the Old Testament concept of salting a sacrifice into the New Testament. Therefore, to be a salty disciple will naturally bring His peace into your midst, and peace is a preservative in your relationships with one another. Why would peace bring this result? Because if you are living in a godly way as was described in the Beatitudes, then you will be a meek individual, that is a peacemaker, and one who is merciful towards others. This is who Jesus was, and if you walk in this same manner, you will bring peace to all who are around you.

Consequently, having salt in yourselves is essential for your own spiritual life, to keep you alive spiritually, which then affects and influences all those around you. You must be salt in your family, in your church, and in your community, and ultimately in our nation as a whole. But, before you can be the salt of the earth you must first allow the Lord, to purify you with the salt and fire of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Mark 9:49). Remember Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” The salt of purity in your own heart is essential to your own spiritual health and progress. Purity is essential for your marriage, and every relationship that you have. The more you are purified within, the more you will be transformed into His image. Notice how the Apostle Peter addressed this topic when he wrote to encourage the believers in their faith. He assured them that they had a right relationship with God because, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22). Note that Peter saw that the purifying of their souls actually took place, because they were obeying the truth of the Word. The Holy Spirit was also working in them to manifest the fruit of the Spirit which is love, proving that they were being transformed into Christ’s image. This is the ultimate fruit God wants to bring in each of our lives!

One last thought about the history of salt that is important to know. Did you know that wars have been fought over salt? You might think to yourself, that’s crazy, that can’t be! No, throughout history people saw the value of salt, and that sometimes salt was more valuable than gold. Why? Because it was able to preserve the very food that sustained life, and the life of an army. For example, during the Civil War the first thing that the Union Army did was that they took the salt works that were in Louisiana, so the Confederates could not preserve their meat. This was one of the primary things that the Union Army believed was essential to win the war. In addition, part of the salary of a Roman soldier was given in salt. In fact, this is where we get the word salary, which comes from the word salt. This is also where we get the saying that, “someone is not worth his salt, or worth his salary. So, salt is a very powerful image for Jesus to use, and has had an important purpose throughout history. 

Practical ways that you can be a preservative in this world.

One of the most practical issues to be considered is, exactly how can you preserve the world around you as a Christian? The first way you can become a preservative in this world is by your godly character that is described in the first twelve verses of this sermon. This is why Jesus placed this command to be salt and light immediately after teaching the Beatitudes.

So, consider again the character qualities that were taught in the Beatitudes, and how they enable you to be a preservative against the corruption of this world. What are the essential attitudes that would make you salt and light? You must first see yourself as spiritually poverty-stricken because of your sin nature, and that you have nothing to offer God. When you understand that you have nothing spiritually good inside of you, then you mourn for your sin in humility and repentance before God. This brokenness of heart creates a meekness before Him, which enables you to receive from the Lord, and enables you to be humble towards others. Being willing to receive from God, naturally gives you that hunger and thirst for righteousness. This hunger is what motives you to grow and mature, and to pursue what He wants you. God continues to change you from within by making you merciful towards others. Without mercy your relationship with other people cannot be sustained, because they are sinners too, and sinners offend other sinners. But mercy and forgiveness give you that purity of heart before God as you reconcile these offenses. Mercy is also what makes you a peacemaker toward others. As you seek to be a peacemaker toward others, this is what enables you to suffer for Him, and not retaliate for the evil done to you. These are the characteristics of a godly man or woman, and this is what makes you a preservative against the corruption of this world. As salt in this world, you first influence the people that are the closest to you in your immediate family. Children so need to see what a real godly man or woman looks like as they grow up. Your influence protects them from the corruption that is all around them, and guides them in the way of truth (Ps. 119:30). Your immediate family then helps to preserve your extended family and friends from the wickedness all around them, simply by the godly witness of your lives. If every Christian family had this salt within themselves, think of how powerful would our influence be in the world around us (Mark 9:50)!   

The second way that you can become salt in this world is by your speech. Paul taught in Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace and seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Notice that Paul explained that speech seasoned with salt is graceful speech that ministers grace and love toward others. This is so important in our daily life, because the words that come from your lips either build up others, or tear them down. Paul also declared in Ephesians 4:29, that we are not to allow any corrupt communication to proceed out of our mouth, but only that which is good for edifying others, which is what ministers grace to the hearers. Therefore, Paul clear connects in these two passages connect graceful speech with salty speech. However, if you gossip, condemn others, or use verbally harsh or hypercritical speech with others, this is the exact opposite of salty speech. These types of speech only wound and hurt people. Harsh and hurtful speech only destroys, and does not preserve anything good in our relationships.

A third way you can practically be salt in this world is when you stand for truth and righteousness, and resist the corruption that is all around you. When you see someone stealing, hear someone lying, or someone tries to get you in a compromising situation, you speak up and challenge it. This is when your life becomes a preservative that hinders the corruption that is taking place. You then become the flavor of Christ in this world (2 Cor. 2:15-16). You also keep those around you from being influence by this corruption, because they see your example. Never forget that you have a tremendous influence in your family, your church, and your community. Every person in every church across our land has an influence upon our nation as a whole. I believe that the spiritual decline of our nation, is in direct correlation to the spiritual decline of the church, and the individuals within the church. In my opinion, the church is not fulfilling its place as salt or light in this world, or our nation would not be experiencing the decline that it is right now. In Proverbs 14:34 Solomon declared, “Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people.” Righteousness must be the fundamental character of a nation in order for God to bless it, and it is the reason why He will exalt any people. The Hebrew word exalts literally means, to lift up or to cause a nation to grow. The word reproach, is a Hebrew word that means shame and disgrace, or that which causes shame to a nation. All you have to do is listen to the evening news every night to see the moral decline of our country. Only truly righteous men or women can cause our nation to be exalted, and cause it to grow and mature. This is why you need to be salt and light in this world. Look at where our nation first began, and look at where we are today! This is why Jesus made a very clear statement that should awaken every Christian today, when He said, “You are good for nothing but to be thrown out and trodden under the foot of a man.” What did Jesus mean by this warning?

Can salt lose its flavor?

In Matthew 5:13 Jesus declared, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor how will it be seasoned? It is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” What did Jesus mean by these statements? He was declaring that a Christian in this world was and is essential for His overall plan to affect change in this world. In other words, if you do not have a godly influence upon this world, then there is really no reason for you to exist, because you are not fulfilling the very purpose you were created for. Your godly lifestyle and speech are very important to the Kingdom of God and its purpose in this world. Notice what James taught about our speech. He wrote in James 1:26, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.” Useless religion is just like useless salt. Therefore, if you don’t control your tongue, and you speak in a harsh and hypercritical way towards others, are a talebearer, or a gossip, what kind of influence are you having on those around you? You are having the opposite effect of salt. In fact, you are only destroying, ruining, hurting, and offending others, and doing nothing to further Christ’s Kingdom. Only when this kind of treatment comes your way, do you then realize how hurtful and offensive your words have been to others. 

Now, can salt lose it saltiness? Yes, absolutely! Dr. Thompson taught in his book, The Land and the Book, that whenever salt comes in contact with the earth, and it’s allowed to be exposed to the elements of the rain and the sun, that in time salt will lose it saltiness. Whenever salt was stored, and it became bland by this kind of contamination, the salt would lose its saltiness, and it would be discarded, because it was worthless for using on food. The salt would be thrown out on the pathways where people walked, to kill the weeds, and keep them from growing back. This is what Jesus meant when He said, “It is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” The salt wasn’t any good or useful for its original purpose anymore. So, Jesus was using a clear image that the people all understood. He was saying, if Christian’s ever come to a place when they are not fulfilling their purpose, they are really good for nothing. Churches like this that are not being salt in this world, are in reality just playing church, and He is not there. Jesus gave a similar message to the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:15-20. He rebuked this church saying, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish that you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.  Because you say, ‘I am rich, and become wealthy, and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, those garments of his righteousness that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.” Jesus was talking about that spiritual transformation that He wanted to bring in this church’s life, because they did not see their true spiritual need before God. He continued, “As many as I love I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me.” In other words, Jesus told the Laodicean church that they didn’t have to stay this way. They could change anytime they chose to get their hearts right before God. All they had to do was simply be zealous and repent. They had to acknowledge their sin and independence, and come to Him. He was knocking on the door of the church, and on the door of their hearts saying, “Let me in.” Note that Jesus had been expelled from this church, as He has been from many churches across our land. He’s not there. Jesus is a gentleman! He will not force His way into anyone’s heart, or into any church. He must be invited in!

But, the most important question you must answer, is Jesus in your heart? Have you invited Him into your life, or are you just playing church? The only person who can answer this question is you. Have you confessed your sins to Him, and received Him by faith? Then, are you abiding in Him? This is the only way you can continue to Him. Jesus commanded His disciples, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). But in the next verse is a clear warning that Jesus also gave to them. He warned them that, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:6). The words, “If anyone does not abide in me,” is a simple choice that everyone must make. It is the same message Jesus gave to Laodicean church, and the same message He gave in the Sermon on the Mount about losing their saltiness. These are not passages that pastors like to teach on, because they are words that sting and challenge. Jesus was actually being salt to those who heard Him, and to those of us who have ears to hear His words. I pray that you will hear Him today!

You are to be a light to the world!

The next metaphor that Jesus used to describe His disciples was a light in this world. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:14-16). This image is very different from that of salt, because it illustrates the opposite of salt. Salt preserves from corruption and hinders evil from occurring, but light enables, illuminates, and reveals what is good. One metaphor pictures a hindrance of what you don’t want happening in this world, and the other pictures what you do want. Both are necessary for the kingdom to prosper in this world. Jesus put these two images together, because both are essential. I can’t just be a preservative against evil; I must also be a light to lead people into God’s path. I have to not only resist what is destroying this world, but also be an example and encourage people to do what is godly.

The practical and spiritual purposes of light.

Light has many practical purposes. Light illuminates, it reveals, it educates, it gives knowledge, and most importantly, it overcomes any and all darkness. Jesus said in Luke 8:17, “For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.” In this verse, Jesus spoke of the lights ability to reveal, give knowledge, and to make something known. Jesus said of Himself in John 9:5, “As long as I am in the world I am the Light of the world.” Note in this statement that Jesus was declaring that He was the light of the world, only while He was in this world. He was also revealing to the disciples that He was not going to be there with them forever. When you put this statement together with His other teachings, He was slowing explaining to them that He would be leaving for a time, and then returning (Luke 19:12; John 14:1-3). Who then was to be the light in this world after Christ’s ascension into heaven? That would be every Christian in whom the light of the world dwells. This is why He told the disciples; “You are the light of the world.” In addition, just as you cannot be the salt of the earth until you first have His purifying life within you, likewise, neither can you be a light to this world until the light of Christ comes to live inside of you. Remember what it was like when you first turned your life over to Christ. It was like turning on a light switch. What happens to the darkness in a room when you turn on a light switch? The light overcomes the darkness, and the darkness must flee from the light. The Apostle John taught, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:5). The word comprehend in this verse literally means that the darkness cannot overcome or overtake the light. Darkness cannot ever overcome the light, because darkness can only come in the absence of light.   

That is why our nation and churches are so clearly in decline today. As moral corruption and evil continues to grow in our country, every believer should come to this conclusion. The darkness grows because the church is not fulfilling its place as the light of the world. We all must therefore take seriously this issue of being a light in this world, because this is our responsibility. We must be the light in this dark world. You can’t just say, “Oh the church is so messed up, so why even try.” No! You may not be able to change the world, but you can influence one person’s world, by being a light to them!

How can you practically be the light in this world? 

This is such an important question. So, how can you be a light in the world, and as Jesus said, “Let your light so shine that men will see your good works and glorify your father in heaven?” Let me give you several ways that you can become a light in the darkness.

The first way you can become a light is to personally come to the Light in faith. This is where your salvation begins, and where His light comes to live inside you. For those of you that are reading these words, ask yourself if you are absolutely sure that you have received Jesus by faith. John declared, “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12). If you have not, go to Him is prayer right now, and ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, and receive Him into your heart by faith. This is how you come to light, and then become a light to others. If any person refuses to come to Him by faith, Jesus said, “And everyone who practices evil hates the light and does not come to the light lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:20). Jesus was explaining in this passage the purpose of light, which is to expose the truth to a person about themselves. This is what occurs whenever you share the gospel with someone. They are either going to come to the light of truth you are sharing with them, or they are going to find some excuse or rationale for rejecting the truth. When someone rejects the truth, they are running from the light, because the light is exposing their sin. Think of the first time someone shared the gospel with you? You either quickly excused yourself from that conversation, or you yielded to the gospel. Either of these choices were made because of your reaction to the light of His truth.

Second, being a light means that you are an example of the life Christ brings to a human heart. His life in you gives you a powerful testimony of how He can transform a person. Never forget that light naturally brings physical and spiritual life to this world. The Sun’s light and heat enable life on Earth by enabling processes like photosynthesis, which is how plants convert sunlight into energy, which then produces oxygen for us to breathe. Without the Sun, Earth would be a cold and dark place where no life would exist. Spiritually it is exactly the same. This connection between light and life was made in the first couple of verses in the Gospel of John. He declared concerning Jesus that, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). Later in Christ’s ministry He taught the disciples again saying, “I am the light of the world, he who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). Therefore, whoever chooses to follow Christ, and leave the path of darkness by coming to the light, He is going to give them abundant life (John 10:10). When this happens, people are going to see His life inside you, because you can’t hide it. Let me give you an example of what I mean. A short time ago, I was going through the checkout line at the grocery store, and as I was paying for my food, the checker had a smile from ear to ear. He was obviously full of life and joy. I said to him, “Wow, you seem really happy today.” His first response was to begin sharing with me his faith in Christ, and how the Lord had changed his life. I said, “Wow, you’re Christian.” He said, “Yes sir.” I responded, “So am I.” Then I said, “I could immediately tell there was something different about you.” Why? This man had, “The light of life,” within him. That is what the Holy Spirit wants to do inside of every one of you. He is the life, and He gives you His life, as you come to the light. Let His life shine forth from you to this dark world!

Third, being a light in this world also refers to a life and walk in holiness, which again influences all those around you. In Romans 13:12 Paul said, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand, therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” To walk in the light means you must cast off the works of darkness, which would refer to any form of immorality. Doing so, is what it means to walk in holiness and purity. Scripture commands us to, “Pursue… holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). The word pursue is in the present tense, which means that this must be a continuous pursuit throughout our lives. Please note again, this is how the salt and light work together. When you came to the light at salvation, you turned away from your previous sinful lifestyle, which then enabled you to put on His armor of light. I like this term armor of light, because the Greek word for armor actually means weapon. Consequently then, the light of a holy life is like a spiritual weapon that enables you to stand against the darkness of this world. Think of it this way; every time you go to God in prayer, and ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit, it is like switching on the light switch in your personal life. His light changes and transforms you, which is what holiness means. Only then can you become a powerful weapon of light in God’s hand.

Fourth, being a light in this world means that you faithfully speak God’s truth and testify to others. Note that this was the way Jesus described John the Baptist, when He referred to him as a burning and shining light. In John 5:33 Jesus said of him, “You have sent to John and he has borne witness to the truth.” Then in verse 35 Jesus continued, “He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.” This man was a burning shining light for Christ, because he bore witness to the truth. Likewise, if you want to be a light in this world then this is what you need to do. You need to speak up, and bear testimony to the truth of God’s Word whenever the need arises. Therefore, when a conversation arises about the immorality in this world, will you speak up and testify what God has declared, or be silent? When someone notices that something is different about you, are you going to speak up, and give testimony about how Jesus has changed your life? Peter commanded in his first epistle, “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). We must always be ready to speak the truth, and take every opportunity to share our faith! This is what it means to be a light in this world.

Fifth, being a light means that you will speak His word, but do so in love. This is such a critical point, because you must remember that the light will always expose what is evil. But this requires love and sensitivity as you speak to others. You must put these two truths together, because Paul commanded all believers to speak, “The truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). This command keeps believers from becoming harsh and self-righteous when they reprove the darkness in this world. There are times when you must speak up and say to those around you, “This is not right. I can’t participate in this. I’m sorry, but this is wrong.” When you do so, this is what it means to be a light in this world, because at that moment you are exposing something that is evil. But when you take this position against something that is wrong, you should expect someone to begin mocking you, and they may even begin persecuting you. People will not like you when you take a stand for righteousness, because this is a reproof of their position that is evil. This is why you must speak the truth in love, and not in a harsh or arrogant way. Why? Because when a person is reproved for something that they are doing which is wrong, they will many times try to justify themselves by saying that your delivery of the truth was harsh or arrogant. But when you speak the truth in love, then they must deal with the truth alone of what you have said. Speaking the truth in love reveals the graciousness and the love of the God you represent. Therefore, you must learn how to be tactful, gentle, loving, but direct and firm concerning the truth. I encourage people to speak the truth in love by making their point personal. You can make your point personal by saying, “I have found that doing this _____ has only destroyed my life. I don’t want to live that way anymore.” Then sometimes people respond, “Oh, really, why do you say that? How did this issue destroy your life?” This question then gives you an opportunity to share your testimony. By speaking in this manner, you expose evil in a loving and personal way that opens up an opportunity to share the gospel. You are not pointing the finger at them, but you are using your own life as an example of why this specific behavior is not good. This way you are sharing in a very gracious and gentle way, yet still standing for righteousness.

Let me give you an example of another balance to this truth from Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians. In Ephesians 5:8-13 Paul declared, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.” Here is the same exhortation by Paul to not be a partaker in what is evil in this world, but rather expose this evil by walking as children of the light. But notice what he declared about how to walk as children of the light. You walk in the light by the fruit of the Spirit, which he declares are goodness, righteousness, and truth. This is how you expose what is evil, as you are filled with the fruit of the Spirit. It is important to note that the fruit of the Spirit is not just found in Galatians 5:22-23. There in Galatians, Paul is describing the attitudes of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But we need so much more than just the attitudes of love if we are going to walk as children of light. We also need the actions of goodness, righteousness, and truth. You must put these two concepts together. Paul is saying that this is what is acceptable to the Lord, and what allows the exposing of that which is evil in the correct way. The Apostle John teaches the same thing when he wrote, “He who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in Him” (1 John 2:10). Love and abiding in the light are directly connected together in this text. But notice that you must also behave in a way that would not stumble someone, which is also how love is defined. We need both the attitude of love, and a righteous behavior of goodness and righteousness to enable us to walk as children of the light. In addition, Paul also puts these two truths together in Philippians 2:14-15 when he wrote, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, 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.” How can you shine as lights in this dark world? What allows you to let your light shine in the darkness? Your behavior of not complaining and disputing with people, and having a harmless attitude of love. What Paul describes in these verses is what a holy life looks like. It is a heart and life that is balanced with love and righteousness. Remember, you are not called to go around pointing out everyone sin, or to cause disputes and conflicts everywhere you go. You are called to walk in love, and when a question comes up concerning what is good and righteous behavior, then speak up, and stand up for what is right. When you live and walk in love, you are walking in the light! 

Don’t hide your light under a basket.

If you are called to be the light of this world, you cannot hide your light under a basket? This is what Jesus clearly warned us not to do! The purpose of a light, is to give light to others, not hide it. Jesus said we should be as a city on a hill that all could see. Likewise, if you are walking in the light, you cannot be hiding the light you have been given. You cannot be a secret disciple. If the light of Christ resides in you, everyone should know there is something different about you. When Jesus was giving this Sermon on the Mount that was overlooking the Sea of Galilee, this city on a hill that He referred to, was most likely the city of Safed, which sits high on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. This is a real city that still exists to this day, and is set high up on the top of the hills surrounding the Sea of Galilee. I would even surmise that Jesus may even have pointed to this city as He spoke. It was a city set on a hill that could not be hidden, because of its shining light that all could see every night. The point Jesus was making was the fact that we as Christians should not hide the light that is within us. So, don’t be silent about your faith, and hide your light under a basket. Don’t go along with the crowd, and compromise with the sinful practices of the world. Don’t go back to the works of darkness, because that’s hiding what the Lord has done in your life. The Lord wants us to be men and women who are influencing the world around us. You can only influence others if you are salt and light. You will either influence others for good, or for evil. Which will it be? Let your light shine! He wants to use you to affect change in other people’s lives. So, let God use you and your life to make a difference in someone else’s life, by being His salt and light!