Today we continue our devotionals based upon our being salt and light by considering Jesus’ warnings.
To be salt and light is to influence the world for good through our example, loving challenge and sharing the gospel. However, we can start off well but lose our saltiness and brightness.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? …“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…(Extract from Matthew 5:13-16)
In this text, Jesus warns us twice about missing it - failing to be salt and light. Salt can lose its saltiness as it is diluted through impurity. The un-salty person is he who has failed to heed Jesus words, “Blessed are the pure in heart…”(Matt 5:8). If our devotion to Jesus becomes mixed with ungodly pursuits, busyness, distraction, laziness… we lose our saltiness (and light).
To light, He adds the danger of hiding it away. Fear or the love of admiration can keep us from influencing the world as we should.
RESPONSE
Jesus repeats His warning twice because he doesn’t want you to become ineffective. Peter describes this danger in the words ‘ineffective and unproductive’(2 Peter 1:5).
Take a moment to meditate and pray from the following text which expresses our old identity, what we are to do now we are ‘light’ (and salt), and what we are to avoid if we are to maintain our brightness (and saltiness).
‘For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.’ (Ephesians 5:8)
COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - YOU ARE THE SALT...THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Suggested opener/Ice-breaker
How, in the last week, have you been able to be salt and light, or, if you're brave, would you like to share how you failed to be salt and light?
Introduction - please share in your group
This week we are looking at what it means to be salt and light.
The health of a family, friendships, neighbourhood, workplace, nation... is linked to the health of its church and her members! The appalling immortality that is growing in this nation is partly due to the church being tasteless and dark when she should be salt and light. Jesus said,
“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.” (Matthew 5:13-16)