We all influence others no matter where we are or what we are doing. People take notice, and influence occurs. It may be a positive or negative influence. Some will want to follow your example, and others will choose to ignore it, but your actions prompt them to choose. It may not be a conscious decision, but our brains filter everything we see or hear. It is time we, as Christians, start to live as if every action or thought is filtered first by God and second by those around us. Because they are. We may have started on this path of being intentional, of thinking before acting, but before long we were back to our old habits of not paying attention to our behavior. We live in a society where the prevalent attitude is “it’s nobody’s business,” or the nonchalant attitude of “it’s no big deal.” Both attitudes are wrong. We are to represent Jesus Christ in all we do. We are to be an example of who He is, and our lives should point others to Him.
In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus uses two simple common things to teach important truths. In verse 13, Jesus says we are the salt of the earth. Salt flavors our food. If it is part of the recipe but left out, the flavor is dull and bland. Salt will also dissolve when placed in food or liquid. It’s there, but you can’t see it. Yet, while the amount may be tiny compared to the rest of a recipe, it has a profound effect on the taste of the product. It doesn’t take a lot to make an impact.
Salt also enhances the sweetness of a recipe. It actually makes the sweet taste sweeter. Once the salt is in the mix, you can’t see it, but you know it is there by the taste and the final result. Salt can survive high temperatures and not lose its flavor. These are qualities we need to have in our lives. We need to have an influence for God. Those we are around should be a little sweeter because of our presence. We don’t strive to do this; true saltiness comes from becoming more like Jesus through study and prayer. It means becoming obedient in all areas of our lives so that saltiness naturally flows from our time with God. Jesus goes on to warn us in verse 13. Sometimes we lose our “savor.” This is the ability to make something taste good; it is the enjoyment you get from the taste. Jesus said that when we lose our savor, we are no longer salty, and we are good for nothing. The audience Jesus was speaking to understood what happens when salt loses its sharpness. Commentators tell us that in the Palestine region, when salt is exposed to rain, sun, or the ground, it becomes insipid and useless. When it is gathered after exposure, impurities are naturally gathered with it. Soon, this salt turns to dust; it does not yield fruitful soil. It is not only good for nothing, but it also destroys fertility wherever it is thrown. No one will allow this salt to be thrown onto his field. It is thrown into the streets where it is “trodden under the feet of men.” If you examine Jesus’ words in verse 13, you will come to understand it is very serious not to be a salty person. When we are salty, we will make all around us a little sweeter. Our lives will allow others to realize they are lacking something; we need to add flavor to our relationships. The flavor of servanthood, of love, of compassion, of mercy. We need to let others see God’s righteousness through us.
Matthew 5:13 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
Jesus then turns his teaching to light. He calls us “the light of the world that is set on a hill and cannot be hidden.” We are to reflect Jesus so much that others see Him through us. We are to be so bright that the darkness is far from us. We also shine brighter when we are near darkness. Have you ever been sitting on the deck on a dark night with the light on? It only takes a minute for every bug in the area to find your light. Light attracts! When we openly live out the commands of God in obedience because we love Him and our fellowman, we will have an influence for the kingdom. Like bugs headed to the light, when we beam bright, we will attract others to Him. We don’t need to tell others about our good works, but we need to show them our good works. When they see the effectiveness of our lives, when the Light shines in us, it will draw them to us, and our Father will be glorified.
Matthew 5:14-16 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
What do men see when they are around you? Are you salty and tasty or sour and grumpy? Do you take the attitude that if they don’t talk to me, I’m not talking to them? Is your countenance beaming with the glow of Jesus? Is your light so bright that people come to you like bugs to a light? What kind of influence are you having that will advance the kingdom? It is a question we all need to answer now because one day we will answer before God.
