Wednesday Words of Encouragement

Matthew 5: 13-14 ~ "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

I've always read these verses and never thought much about them, other than the fact that we are to be salt and light in the world. However, while I was reading this passage something struck me about the idea of salt losing it's saltiness so I decided to do a little research about whether salt can actually lose it's flavor.

It turns out that there are very rare cases when this happens. For the most part, it is almost impossible for salt to lose it's saltiness. Then the lightbulb went off in my head and I think that is the point in these verses.

As believers, we were meant to be salt and light in this world. That is our job as followers of Christ. The idea of salt becoming unsalty, or of lighting a lamp and then hiding it away is an absurd one. It would never happen.

The same is true for us. If we call ourselves followers of Christ, it should follow that all we do will point others to Him. It should be impossible for us not to do so.

So is this true of you? Of me? Does the way we conduct our lives point others to Jesus? Or do we turn people away from Him? There are many people I've talked to who have been turned off from a relationship with God because of the behavior of Christians.

As we go about our day at work, in the store, at the gas station and with our neighbors and families remember that you are the hands and feet of Jesus. Your words, attitudes and actions can be a blessing or a curse!

Let's be the salt that enhances the flavor of Christ to those around us and the light that shows others the way to Him!