The Difference We Should Be

December 8, 2025

MATTHEW 5:13-16 NKJV – (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.

We the children of God have been called in His image to be the representation on the earth. To be that representation, we must take up our cross daily. Jesus says to His disciples, "You are the salt of the earth."

As salt preserves meat from rotting, believers in Jesus, distributed around the world, help to preserve humanity from falling into godlessness, immorality, chaos, and the resulting judgment. Christians stop serving that purpose when we stop living in faithfulness to God. Therefore, we must represent. We must again take up our cross daily.

In verse (14), He compares us to light. He calls us (His children) the "light of the world." Spiritually speaking, there is no light in the world apart from Jesus Christ. His light, though, shines through every person who belongs to Him. In this way, the light of Christ is distributed into the darkness in every corner of humanity. That this light is meant to be visible to the world is also important.

It seems, that the role of the Christian as salt and light in the world may be hindered or prevented through any choice to compromise or settle for that which is more convenient or comfortable, rather than that which is truly best and pleasing to the Lord. Moreover, the status of salt and light is something that follows naturally from the Christian’s humble obedience to the commandments of Christ. 

Only by remaining focused on Christ and being obedient to Him can we expect to remain salt and light in the world.

SCRIPTURE READING

LEVITICUS 2:13

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

People don't enjoy salt. They enjoy what is salted. We are the salt of the earth. We do not exist for ourselves.