I need to make a difference in the world around me.
14 "You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
John 12:46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.
Yesterday we saw that being a leader requires good character, one that is above reproach, a leader's character should set the moral standard so high that those that follow will have no reason to doubt the integrity of their leader.
A leader is somebody that has influence on others, by now it should be obvious that every Christian is supposed to be a leader, we are commanded to have an influence in other people's lives that will point them to Jesus.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus used two illustrations to tell his followers about the impact that they should have on this world.
Salt has two beneficial characteristics, it preserves and it gives flavor. When salt comes into contact with food it gives it more taste or it can also be used to keep the food from rotting.
As a Christian am I whetting someone's appetite and causing them to want to know more about Jesus? Am I behaving in a way that will leave people hungry and thirsty for more of Jesus? Is somebody developing an appetite to experience God's love first hand?
Are my actions encouraging moral decay or is my living up to God's standards helping to preserve and slow down the moral decay that is all around us?
Don't forget that salt is not neutral it exerts influence for good just by its nature but we have to actually apply the salt and cause it to come into contact with the food. As Christ followers we tend to isolate ourselves and minimize our contact with those that need the salt. We have to mingle with those that need the salt just like Jesus did.
Not only are you supposed to be salty you are also supposed to be a shining city on a hill. The Christian should be shining the light of the gospel to everyone around, peirceing the darkness so that the world will be able to see and they will be drawn to the Jesus.
In either analogy the point is clear that God wants us to be a positive moral influence for all to see.
Too many Christians either avoid contact with non-Christians altogether, or they conceal their faith in a manner that provides no salt or light. I need to be a lot more salty and I need to become a light house that can save people from the dangers in the dark.
Help me to be salty and full of light so that I can have an influence on somebodies life today.
