Matthew 5: 13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavour, 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.
The believer’s identity is to be salt and light in the earth.
To be salt in the world is to bring flavour and preservation in the world.
To be light of the world is to reflect God's love, truth and hope in a world that is groping in the darkness of hopelessness, fear, uncertainty, lies and lovelessness. So, Jesus in Matthew 5: 13-16, popular known as the beatitudes, reminds His disciples that they are the salt and light of the earth.
Many Christians, sometimes wonder what their high calling is and sometimes focus only on ministry gifts, such as, Pastors, evangelist, Apostles, teachers, gift of healing, gifts of prophecy etc, spiritual gifts are valuable, but they are not the destination. Our first and greatest calling is to be salt and light, living in such a way that Christ is seen, felt, and glorified through us every day.
WHY SALT?
There was a time when I struggled with the statement that salt is not good for us. I found myself asking, why would salt be considered bad? Yet Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth.” If He chose salt as a metaphor, then there must be something deeply good and purposeful about it.
This led me to explore the benefits of salt to the human body. I discovered that salt has many vital functions—it supports life, preserves, heals, enhances taste, and helps maintain balance. However, I also realized something important, much of the salt we use today is not the same as pure, natural salt. The highly refined salt often lacks the essential minerals that give salt its full benefits. To experience the true value and benefit of salt one needs pure salt.
Jesus puts it this way in Matthew 5:13
13 ………. 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.
In the same way, we are called to be the pure salt of the earth. When we remain pure in our character, love, and intentions, we bring preservation to a corrupt world, healing to broken lives, relief to the weary, and flavour to places that feel dull or hopeless. Just as pure salt fulfils its purpose, we are called to fulfil ours when we live as Christ intended, bringing goodness, truth, and life wherever we are placed.
WHY LIGHT?
Jesus calls us the light of the world because light brings illumination and revelation. Light makes what is hidden visible and gives direction to those who would otherwise stumble. In human existence, light is essential without it, we grope in darkness, uncertain and vulnerable.
The Psalmist puts it this way in Psalm 119:30
The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
When God was creating the heavens and the earth, we are told that the earth was without form and there was darkness everywhere and the first thing God created and spoke into being was light. Why, because man needs light in order not to grope in the dark.
Genesis 1:3
3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
Light enables vision. It allows us to see where we are going and to recognize what surrounds us. In the same way, when we live as Christ’s light, we help others see truth clearly, distinguish right from wrong, and find their way in a confusing world. God expects us to shine wherever He places us. Paul writes to the Ephesians and says:
Ephesians 5:8-9
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
To be light means to reflect God’s character through goodness, righteousness, and truth. These is how our colleagues will differentiate us from others. When we live this way, People will know that we are truly His disciples, it is not through words alone, but through our actions and attitudes. Our colleagues should be able to see Christ in how we treat others, how we respond under pressure, and how we conduct ourselves when no one is watching. Integrity in our work, respect for others, and faithfulness in handling what our bosses have entrusted to us all reveal the light of Christ within us. And through that light, God is glorified, and His children are made known.
The book of Daniel puts it this way
Daniel 12:3
Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.
Proverbs 4:18-19
18 But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.
Darkness often produces fear, sadness, and despair, light brings warmth, hope, and comfort. The light we carry can lift heavy hearts, encourage the discouraged, and remind people that there is hope for them.
When we shine as light, we create an environment where others can grow, heal, and become fruitful.
Jesus also teaches that evil deeds are done in the dark. Darkness provides concealment for wrongdoing, but light exposes what is hidden.
John 3:20-21
20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Therefore, being the light of the world means living openly, truthfully, and lovingly. It means reflecting Christ’s character so clearly that darkness is pushed back, and God’s glory is revealed. Just as light naturally shines, we are called not to hide what God has placed within us, but to let it shine.
Just as Jesus declared that He is the light of the world, He has left us here on earth to continue reflecting that light.
John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”
We have not been called to withdraw from the world, but we are called to influence it by being the Salt and the Light as the ambassadors of Christ.
Shine Child of God.
