Salt and Light
Pastor Julie Friday
It’s been awesome fasting together as a church family and we’re almost to the finish line. I want to encourage you to fast throughout the year whether it be one meal, one day, three days, or more just follow the leading of the Lord and be willing and obedient.
We have the answer to life’s problems and it’s Jesus. It’s time for us to live out loud for Jesus like never before.
We confess it every week in church,
“Father I thank you that today I will have an encounter with you and be equipped through your word to have the boldness to engage others.”
Do we believe what we’re confessing? We’ve had encounters with Jesus and now we are equipped. Let’s walk in boldness and engage others. Stop just confessing and let’s put the word to action. I know many of you are great at sharing your faith and I share my faith as well but I believe more than ever that it’s time to step it up. It’s harvest time! (Hammer time). Can we put the music link right here? (lol)
We live in this world but we’re not of this world. Over the years you can watch how Christians look more and more like the world. This isn’t how it should be. I’ve seen so many Christians watching the same things, listening to the same music, and reacting to situations and people just like the world. We have Jesus living on the inside of us. We’ve been transformed! We’ve been changed by the power of God. We have the answer, yet why do so many Christians conform to the world rather than having an effect on those in the world? The world can’t save, heal or deliver but we know who can. His name is JESUS!
The Bible says we are the light of the world and the salt of the Earth. What does that actually mean? When I think of salt I think of something that adds flavor, something that preserves, and something that makes me thirsty. The way we live for Jesus should cause those around us to want to taste what’s different about us. We need to be in the world making people thirsty for Jesus.
Light dispels darkness, light can guide you to the right path, and light can help you escape from danger or harm. God is light and He sent the Holy Spirit to live inside of every believer and be a carrier of His light. We need to let His light shine bright for all to see in order to lead others out of darkness.
“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”
— Matthew 5:14-16 The Message
Jesus often chose common examples to demonstrate His teachings. “Salt was so important and valuable that Roman soldiers sometimes were paid in salt,” wrote Greg Laurie (Harvest Daily Devotion), “Hence the expression, ‘He’s not worth his salt.’” Salt on its own is used for clearing roads and preserving food, but it also enhances the taste of everything it’s added to”.
Jesus taught His followers to be careful not to lose the flavor of their Creator. Most of the salt used in Israel came from the Dead Sea, which contained impurities. Impurities can cause flavor loss. Right before this verse, in the conclusion of the Beatitudes, Jesus proclaimed blessings over those who are persecuted, not only for living in sake of righteousness but for living for Him. He described His followers, and believers today, as salt and light, clearly called to influence, improve and make the world a better place
(The Moody Bible Commentary).
When we act like the world we allow those impurities to come inside our own life and we begin to lose our flavor and lose the effect we have on the world. Say, “Not me in Jesus Name!"
Let’s live out loud for Jesus in a way that would make others want a taste (lots of flavor). How do we do that? Those around us watch how we react and respond to life. Live out loud what you believe. The world is looking for something real and they are drawn to the supernatural. Well, we serve a real God with limitless power! We know the truth so we need to look different than the world. This means that we can have peace and joy in the midst of a storm. We use the Bible as our filter in which we view everything.
The more we grow closer to the Lord, the more He changes us. He doesn’t expect us to change before we come to Him. You don’t clean a fish before you catch it. We are all a work in progress.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good words and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, ESV)
“We’re not garlic, or paprika, we’re salt,” prayed Scotty Smith, “Salt preserves and fends off decay. Salt heals and soothes; it has medicinal value. Salt brings flavor and enhances other flavors. And salt only works when it’s out of the saltshaker…”
Step out into your world and share the good news of Jesus!
Keep fighting the good fight of faith!
— Pastor Julie
I want to encourage you to read all of Romans 6:1-23 in The Message
God’s Word is so good!