Matthew 5:13-16

David Guzik

Part 1 Matthew 5:13 “13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.”

Our Engagement with the world:

Salt - A hot commodity in the times of Jesus. Used to flavor food. Used to preserve meat. Salted meat was a necessity.

Roman soldiers at times received their pay in salt. “Worth their salt”

Christians are to serve as a preserving influence in the world.

We should want people to be grateful for Christians in our community, even if they don’t believe in God. This is because of the practical ways in which we as believers come alongside people. People who are struggling, people who need help. Helping drug dealers, alcoholics, the sexually abused. We should be so engaged in the needs of our community that even if people in our community hate God, they know that they need Christians in the community because of the positive influence and change that God brings through them.

Matthew 5:14 “14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Ephesians 5:8-16 “8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

This is not telling us how to “Get right with God”

This is how we are to live once we are made right with God through Jesus. Thus, this is how a person who has been made right with God lives. These are the attributes, habits, and daily yearnings of the heart of Christ at work in the believer.

Matthew 5:15 “15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.”

Dont be a dimmer switch Christian who raises and lowers the intensity of their light based on their surroundings.

The first place to let your light shine in your home.

Matthew 5:16 “16 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.”

Salt is needed because this world is rotting. Salt preserves the world from rotting away. If we allow ourselves to rot while claiming to be Christian, we will intensify the stink and will not reach people around us for Christ.