Salt and Light Analogy

The balance between assimilating to culture to better communicate the gospel and standing against culture when it conflicts with God’s values, is hard to find.

Jesus gives us the balance when He teaches that we are called to be salt and light

Matthew 5:13–16 NIV

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

We are to be salt. Just like salt is added to food to draw out the best flavor, we are called to be in culture to draw out God honoring aspects of it.

We are to be light. Just like a lighthouse warns ships of the dangers of the rocks and points them to safety, we are to warn non-believers of the dangers of living a life without God and point them to the best life, a life following Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

If I was to answer the question, “When should the church adapt to the changing culture and when should the church stand apart?” as succinctly as I can, I would do so as follows.

We need to evaluate and use cultural elements that do not contradict biblical teachings to help people within today’s culture understand the gospel message