Light of the World

Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Upon first reading these verses may look familiar and obvious, leading us to gloss right over them, but in fact these are profound words and their implications are weighty.

Light is a prominent theme throughout scripture. In Revelation 22 we are told there will be no need for a sun because God will be our illuminating source. Elsewhere we are called sons of light. God’s word is a light unto our path. John 8 refers to Jesus as the Light of the world. Since verse 14 declares that we are the light it brings us back to the reality that we share everything with Jesus, we are in Him and He is in us.

In verse 14 we see a declaration from Jesus “You are the light of the world.” He is telling us who and what we are and then follows with another declaration, “a city on a hill cannot be hidden.” Before moving on Jesus explains this declaration in effect saying, “you are the city on a city and God has given you this gift of faith. Because of it you will stand out, be different, and He didn’t cloak you or veil you but instead set you on a lamp stand for all to see.”

We often read verse 15 as though this were our responsibility. “Don’t put your lamp under a basket,” I can hear Sunday school teachers telling me. Jesus is merely explaining why we are in the world and integrated into society and not in some little garden of Eden with all other believers. So instead we should read verse 16 in light (no pun intended) of what God has done, and where He has put us, in verse 15.

Verse 16 describes both the means and the end of life, our purpose for being here. We are to use this gift of faith and all that the Father has given us to glorify Him. We are exhorted to regularly live in such a way that others may see our good works are a result of our faith in the one true risen and ascended Lord and praise Him alone. We see may examples of this in the Old Testament and in effect this is one reason why many people followed Jesus during His earthly ministry. This is now our ministry.

The Salt of the Earth

Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

In Jesus’ day salt was both a flavor enhancer and a preservative. Salt was used on food to add flavor to an otherwise bland meal and as a preservative when it was packed onto meat so that it wouldn’t dry out. In both cases what already existed had something else introduced to it in order to improve it. In the life of a sinful person who has fallen short of the glory of God and is headed toward eternity in hell in subjection to God’s wrath, what could improve or enhance better than the saving message of the gospel of Jesus the Christ?

Christians are different, unique, special, and serve a purpose in the same way. We are in the world and while here it’s our joy and duty to bring this message, even if it is irritating like salt in a wound or sweat in someone’s eyes. The Church, the Body of Christ, preserves and spreads the message of the great and glorious God we serve and who has saved us from the just punishment we deserve.

This verse does come with a clause, if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. This should be a somber warning to us. Imitation salt in Jesus’ day was used for one meal and after it lost it’s flavor it was thrown out onto the walking path to keep it clear of vegetation. Whether it be for a day, or for a period of time in our lives such as a year, may we participate with God the Holy Spirit in our sanctification in such a way that we never lose our effectiveness as ambassadors of the true and risen Lord Jesus. Amen.

The Christian's Scriptural Identity

Who am I?

I am the salt of the earth. Matthew 5:13

I am the light of the world. Matthew 5:14

I am a child of God. John 1:12

I am loved by God. John 3:16

I am part of the true vine, a channel of Christ's life. John 15:1 5

I am Christ's friend. John 15:15

I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit. John 15:16

I am a slave of righteousness. Romans 6:18

I am a slave to God. Romans 6:22

I am a son of God. God is spiritually my Father. Romans 8:14 15

I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him. Romans 8:17

I am a temple, a dwelling place, of God. His Spirit dwells within me. 1 Corinthians 3:16 6:19

I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him. 1 Corinthians 6:17

I am a member of Christ's body. 1 Corinthians 12:27

I am who I am. 1 Corinthians 15:10

I am a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17

I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18 19

I am a son of God and one in Christ. I am adopted into God family. Galatians 3:26

I am an heir of God since I am a son of God. Galatians 4:6 7

I am a saint. Ephesians 1:1

I am a citizen of heaven, seated in heaven right now. Ephesians 2:6

I am God's workmanship, His handiwork, born anew in Christ to do His work. Ephesians 2:10

I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God's family. Ephesians 2:19

I am a prisoner of Christ. Ephesians 3:1 4:1

I am righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:24

I am a member of Christ's body/bride. Ephesians 5:30

I am a citizen of heaven, seated in heaven right now. Philippians 3:20

I am hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life. Colossians 3:4

I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved. Colossians 3:12

I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved. 1 Thessalonians 1:4

I am a son of light and not of darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:5

I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling. Hebrews 3:1

I am a partaker of Christ; I share in His life. Hebrews 3:14

I am one of God's living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house. 1 Peter 2:5

I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession. 1 Peter 2:9 10

I am an alien and stranger to this world in which I temporarily live. 1 Peter 2:11

I am an enemy of the devil. 1 Peter 5:8

I am a child of God and I will resemble Christ when He returns. 1 John 3:1 2

I am born of God, and the evil one, the devil, cannot touch me. 1 John 5:18