Salt the Earth, Light the World

Everywhere we go, we are surrounded by people. People who were created by God. People made with a purpose. People made in the image of our Heavenly Father. Yet most of them don’t know Jesus. We walk through life with this wonderful gift of Salvation, but do we share it with those around us? People matter to God. The question is, do they matter to you?

So today we start a new series called, “Does it Matter”

Matthew 5:13–16 NKJV

13 “You are the salt of the earth; 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. 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.

Salt and light represent what every Christian should be—a penetrating and illuminating influence, something both to be seen and felt, a power to attract and transform. Notice the—

I. Twofold Sphere.

1. THE EARTH.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 5

Salt fulfilled a variety of functions throughout biblical history. Israel’s proximity to the Dead Sea and numerous salt pits throughout the land made salt a readily accessible commodity (see Zeph 2:9).

Salt was valued for its many uses, such as flavoring (Job 6:6), preserving, healing (Ezek 16:4), and destroying (Judg 9:45). It also served a liturgical function (Lev 2:13; Ezek 43:24) and was used in covenant making (Num 18:19; 2 Chr 13:5).

“Ye are the salt of the earth.” The earth is the place of the curse, and may represent the heart of man as the seat of his affections and the source of his desires “Thy will be done in earth” (Matt 6:10)—in the heart of man as in Heaven Purify the spring (2 Kings 2:21).

2. THE WORLD.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 5

Recalls Israel’s role as a light to the nations (Isa 42:6; 49:6). In John, Jesus describes Himself as the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5).

“Ye are the light of the world.” The world here may mean the sphere of man’s mind and thought. Apart from the light of revelation, this is a world of spiritual darkness. “No light in them.”

II. Twofold Action.

1. IT PERMEATES LIKE SALT.

Permeates means spread throughout (something). Once salt gets into food it spreads through out quickly.

2. IT ILLUMINATES LIKE LIGHT.

A light is meant to shine and give direction. Jesus described in verses 3-10 that light shiners would obviously radiate and point others to the proper path. Their influence would be evident, like a city on a hill or a lamp on its stand.

III. Twofold Nature.

1. The salt must have savour.

Salt is good, but savourless salt is good for nothing. The mere name and form without this is powerless. The savour is an emblem of the Holy Spirit. We may bear the name Christian and have the form of godliness, but without the Holy Spirit we are savourless salt, “good for nothing.” “Have salt in yourselves” (Mark 9:50). Salted with the fire of the Holy Spirit. It is the savour that is precious and powerful. “Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18).

2. The candle must have light.

Here again the mere name and form are useless without the living flame. A candle must be lighted; it cannot light itself. God hath shined into our hearts, giving us the light. “THOU hast lighted my lamp, O Lord.”

IV. Twofold Purpose.

1. TO SALT THE EARTH.

If Christians lose their savour, wherewith shall it be salted? If the world does not see Christ in the Christian, where will it see Him? If the ungodly don’t feel the power of Christ’s presence in the actions of His people, how will they feel it?

2. TO GLORIFY THE FATHER (v. 16).

The light is to shine, not that men may praise the light, but that they may be led to trust and glorify the Father. Let your light so shine.

V. Twofold Hindrance.

1. IN LOSING THE SAVOUR.

“If the salt lose its savour, it is thenceforth good for nothing,” trodden under foot of men. Sad picture of a powerless Christian! A withered branch. Quench not the Spirit.

2. IN HIDING THE LIGHT.

If God hath shined in our hearts, it is to give the light (2 Cor. 4:6). Let it shine forth in a bold, steady testimony for Christ. The fear of man is often the bushel that hides the light, or the bed of selfish ease. Remember that a covered light may be suffocated.