MAKING AN IMPACT [Matthew 5:13-16]

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

You are the light of the world---like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

God desires for all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). It is God's will for each of us to live in such a way, that our life would be a godly influence on others. Note in the in text above, Jesus used to very distinct words....salt and light...to illustrate our mission.

Salt is an additive used for flavoring and preserving. Its presence penetrates and spreads throughout any food on which it is sprinkled, and makes a significant difference in flavor. Believers are to function the same way as salt...by spreading the gospel of Christ as we interact with others. Notice also in the text that Jesus warns the saltiness of our life will decrease if we practice ungodly habits and attitudes. Child of God chronic patterns of sin will render us both tasteless and ineffective.

Jesus also calls us to be light, just as He was (John 1:4,9). Light drives out darkness, reveals what is present, illuminates the path, and warns of danger. We are to do the same by reflecting the Savior's presence through our conversation and conduct. May I say just as soot on a glass lantern diminishes its light, sin's presence decreases the validity of our testimony and reduces our influence. The more sin there is in our life, the less divine light we will reflect. You think about that.