What does it mean that believers are to be salt and light?

The Meaning of Being Salt and Light

What does it mean that believers are to be salt and light? We're going to answer that question. Jesus used the concepts of salt and light a number of different times to refer to the role of his followers in the world.

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 by men. Salt had two purposes in the Middle East of the first century.

Salt was used to preserve food, especially meat, which would quickly spoil in the desert environment. Believers in Christ are to be preservatives to the world, preserving it from the evil inherent in the society of sinful and ungodly men.

Second, salt was, and still is, used as a flavor enhancer. In the same way that salt enhances the flavor of the food it seasons, the followers of Christ stand out as those who enhance the flavor of life in this world.

Christians, living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, will inevitably influence the world for good, as salt has a positive influence on the flavor of the food it seasons. Where there is strife, we are to be peacemakers.

Where there is sorrow, we are to be ministers of Christ, binding up wounds, etc. In the analogy of light to the world, the good works of Christ's followers are to shine for all to see. You are the light of the world.

A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

The idea here is similar. The presence of light in darkness is something which is unmistakable. The presence of Christians in the world must be like a light in the darkness, not only in the sense that the truth of God's word brings light to sinful men, but also in the sense that our good deeds must be evident for all to see.

Hindrances to Being Salt and Light

In view of these verses, what sorts of things can hinder or prevent the Christian from fulfilling his or her role as salt and light in the world? The passage clearly states that the difference between the Christian and the world must be preserved.

Therefore, any choice on our part that blurs the distinction between us and the rest of the world is a step in the wrong direction. This can happen either through a choice to accept the ways of the world or to contravene the law of obedience to Christ.

Mark 9 50 suggests that saltiness can be lost specifically through a lack of peace with.

One another.

This follows from the command to have salt in yourselves and be at peace with each other. And in Luke 14 34 -35 we find a reference to the metaphor of salt once again, this time in the context of obedient discipleship to Jesus Christ.

The loss of saltiness occurs in the failure of the Christian to daily take up the cross and follow Christ wholeheartedly. It seems, then, that the role of the Christian as salt and light in the world may be hindered or prevented through any choice to compromise or settle for things of the world.

Obedience to Christ Preserves Christian Witness

Moreover, the status of salt and light is something that follows naturally from the Christian's humble obedience to the commandments of Christ. It is when we depart from the spirit-led lifestyle of genuine discipleship that the distinctions between ourselves and the rest of the world become blurred and our testimony is hindered.

Only by remaining focused on Christ and being obedient to Him can we expect to remain salt and light in the world. That answers the question, what does it mean that believers are to be salt and light?

Research this question further on our website, GotQuestions .org. Give a thumbs up and be sure to click subscribe. Meanwhile, check out these other questions.