Matthew 5:13-16

13 “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.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 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.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:13-16 (MSG)

13 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

Jesus makes it clear: your life has a purpose!

You are here to be the salt and light to all those in your world!

Salt: A flavoring agent and a preservative.

Mark 9:50: “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.

Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

As God’s flavouring agent: Share the gospel with those around you.

As God’s preserving agent: Preserve your Christian identity and influence your culture.

Salt: Also refers to the inward part of Christian character.

You are the light of the world

Light: Disperses darkness and reveals truth.

John 8:12: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”

John 9:5: “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

John 1:1-13: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... In Him was life, and the life was the light of men... The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

As light bearers: Keep yourself in the light and shine it to others.

1 John 1:5-9: “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all... If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another...”

Ephesians 5:8-11: “Once your life was full of sin’s darkness, but now you have the very light of our Lord shining through you...”

Live with purpose

• Don’t conform to worldly culture but influence it through your light.
• Maintain your testimony and be a Christ-like example.

Commitment

• Be the light in a dark world, as Jesus was.
• Share your faith openly and remain faithful to your calling.

Final challenge

• Embrace your role as salt and light in the world.
• Be an influencer, not influenced by the surrounding culture.
• Live with purpose and shine brightly for Jesus.

Examples from Scripture

• Luke 19:10: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
• John 20:21: “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
• 2 Timothy 1:6-9: “Stir up the gift of God which is in you... God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
• Romans 1:16-17: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”

Choose today to put Jesus first and share your faith openly.