Salt and Light

Why does God call us to be salt and light in Matthew 5? Here are my thoughts: God created us to worship Him, and as Christians, we are like a bunch of “little Jesus’”, and are to impact and illuminate the world around us. Being like salt means that we never lose our flavor, like salt. For us to lose our flavor, we aren’t creating an accurate Christlike example, because He never loses His flavor. He was the same during the 1st day of creation, as He is right now, and will be in 2.5 million years from now. It is hard for me to remember this. I often ask myself, “How can God not grow and learn how things work differently from others with how the culture changes?”. I often find myself having trouble keeping in mind the fact that God is outside of time. He is so perfect that He cannot grow, He cannot learn, and He cannot change. When people say that God saved them, I often have this thought of, “wait, is He not saving you now?” You see, God is more than just a save and move on type of God. God is a save, forgive, then save, then forgive, then save type of God. Obviously there was a point in our lives where we were first saved, but God didn’t just save us and watch. He saved us and continues to do so. He forgave us and continues to do so. Hebrews 7:25 states, “Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (ESV). This verse is the one that I see this truth in. Here is the same passage in The Message; “Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But Jesus’ priesthood is permanent. He’s there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them” (Hebrews 7:23-25). ”Our God is an active God, and is interceding in our lives every day. “He’s there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him”. Jesus also commanded that we act as a light. Being like a light means that we are to “light up” in a dark word. Romans 12:2 states, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” God wants us to be set apart from the world and to be different. Matthew 5:16 states that, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” To me, this verse is like a summary of what being a “light” looks like. We are to be shining like a light. If there is no light being shown, then I would question if there even is a light, because even the smallest light can be seen in the darkness. Being a light is so much more than showing off our Christianity, it is to show our love. Showing Christ’s love is the best way to evangelize. Light up so that others see something beautiful in you that they may desire as well...Jesus.