Dear Brethren,
Every now and then you may hear a person say that someone is “worth his salt.” That expression means that someone has a lot of value. Jesus used the idiom to show how our lives are to be of great value to Him. Salt was a highly valued commodity in Jesus’ day. He told His audience that they were created to be of value to God:
Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost its savor, how can it be of any use? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
Then, right there in mid-lesson, Jesus switched analogies from salt to light! While describing to His followers how they were to be living their lives in accordance with the be-attitudes, Jesus shifted gears from the salt of the earth to the light of the world. He explained how Christians are to witness to everyone with whom they come into contact. It is not an option. Jesus charged His disciples to make sure that others saw their Christian deeds:
Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel basket, but it is put on a lampstand so that it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Years later, Peter would carry this thought to its conclusion by admonishing the brethren to double-down in their Godly love for one another.
1Peter 1:22 Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, see that you earnestly love one another with a pure heart fervently.
Our lives must reflect the life of Christ – we must walk in His light.
1Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps:
To walk in light means to be living in righteousness. God alone creates righteousness in those who seek Him, and pursue His truth. Walking in the steps of Jesus Christ is not a stroll in the park! We must be literally transformed out of this sinful world wherein in times past we walked our course (Ephesians 2:2). A new transformation in Christ requires – yes, demands, our yielded active involvement as we put off our former ways and deeds—and begin to put on the characteristics of Jesus Christ – the Light of the world.
John 8:12 Jesus spoke, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
In today’s sermon we will examine the Biblical theme of Darkness to Light.
Your brother in Christ,