I recently preached a sermon on Matthew 5:13-16, Salt and Light. For me, it was an eye-opener. God’s word drew me to examine myself. Am I salt and light to the world? Am I a distinct Christian? Do people that I come in contact with daily know I’m a follower of Lord Jesus? What kind of presence do I have around people? Honestly, I fall short of God’s glorious standard. We all do. But God, who is rich in mercy, enables us to be distinct in the world. To be salt. Salt that adds flavor, is pure, distinct, and preserves. Light to the world. Light that shines in the darkness, distinct, unmistakable, and set for all to see. God is light and we must manifest God. The Word of God is light and we must manifest The Word. And Jesus is light, so we must manifest Jesus. My intent on writing this is plain and simple. Matthew chapter five starts with the beatitudes. And these are the characteristics, expectations that followers of Jesus are to have as members of His kingdom. And as members of the kingdom of God, we are to be distinct in the world. To stand out in a dark world. To preserve the decay in a dying world. 1st Peter 2:9-10; “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praise of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God, once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” I pray that we openly declare His praise as we live the beatitude life in the open. A city on a hill is seen because of many lights. Collectively as a body of believers, let us be distinct in the world. Loren Bauer. Assistant pastor Hauge Church.
