Salt is vital -- it has been used for food preservation, flavoring; body needs salt; salt was used in temple for sacrifices; People would make a promissory contract by sharing salt together in some countries; it was used as payment for jobs/for work; the Roman soldiers were paid in salt. This is where the phrase "You aren't worth your salt" came from.
The city of Venice was built on salt.
Christians have been salt throughout the centuries. Because of Christianity the world has:
* hospitals (if you built a church you must also build a hospital)
*Adoptions and orphanages
*Sexual morality and sanctity of marriage.
*Women's rights
*Education
*Art, Science, Music.
*United States: individual freedoms and responsibilities.
Jesus chose to appear first to women when he rose from the dead. Jesus recognized the value of women and children. Prior to him, children and women were seen as property to do with what the men wanted to do with them.
The first organized school was Sunday School. The children would be taught to read the Bible.
These are examples of being salt in this world. Don't be afraid to be salt. Call things what they are. If salt is corrupted/mixed with dirt or anything it is worthless. Can't be used for flavoring or preservation; and has no value.
"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." Matthew 5:13b
Are you bringing light into the world?
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Promise #1 You are not alone!
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." 1 John 1:5
Promise #2 The light won't be overcome or overpowered by darkness.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin." 1 John 1:5-7
Promises #3 and #4 There is no darkness in God; and We have forgiveness of our sins.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
We are meant to reflect Jesus like the moon reflects the sun.
Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path." Psalm 119:105
If we aren't following Jesus, we are lost and wandering.
We are called to be and bring light to our worlds. Even (and especially) when it is uncomfortable. Shine light in the darkness. Not everyone in darkness wants to be in that darkness. Shine the light so they can come out of that darkness.
35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going."
John 12:35
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Application: Be salt -- be an influencer in the world you live in. Be light -- shine the light of Christ so that others may see and seek the light of Jesus.