What Does It Mean To Be “Salt And Light” In The World?
Scripture To Consider: Matthew 5:13-15 -“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.
Reflections From The PrayerBowl Team:
I love these verses because they reveal Jesus's desire for us to have impact/purpose on this earth. As disciples of Christ, we are called to be the salt and the light in every place we go and with every person we meet. It's a calling that we carry with us into every room and every situation, knowing that our purpose is to radiate the essence of Jesus. But what does this mean?Jesus is the Light of the World. Because he dwells in us, we have the privilege to reflect his light.
Reflect the Light of Jesus - He is our hope, the promise that restored our relationship with God. He is the beacon of light that pierces through spiritual darkness. As his redeemed follower, I am called to grow and graciously share all of the fruits of His Spirit with the world.
Light is warm and inviting - when we see a light on, we feel welcome. I need to be a welcoming, encouraging, civic-minded, safe place for others on this earth.
Just as light shows the way, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). We can share this truth with others by using God's Word, which is the perfect tool to be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. (Psalm 119:105) Don't keep scripture a secret, but generously share it to help others step away from the darkness and into the hope, love, and freedom found in Christ.
Being called the 'salt of the earth' is a concept that I find both challenging and inspiring. It's a role that I've spent more time pondering this week, and this is what was revealed to me:
Salt can be used to preserve - so I am called to stand firm on what is true and not allow the corrupt ways of the world to influence my thoughts and values.
Salt can be used to enhance flavor - as a Christian, I am called to encourage others and build them up, helping them be the best version of themselves.
Salt can be used as a gentle exfoliant, which reminds me to hold myself and other Christians (that I am doing life with) accountable. Just as an exfoliant gently removes dead skin cells, we are called to gently address the things that are distracting people and/or pulling them away from God. This can be done through loving conversations, prayerful support, and by setting a good example in our own lives.
Salt can help hydrate - recently, hydration water has become a part of my daily routine. The key ingredient is salt, which actually helps to keep my body hydrated. This serves as a reminder that God can use me as an instrument in assisting others to become hydrated with the Living Water.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I think about this question, my heart immediately goes to the tragic event that happened in Utah. The loss of Charlie Kirk has shaken me. To me, he was a monumental example of being Salt and Light in this world. Charlie reflected God’s work, love, encouragement, hope, and direction in everything he did. He was such a Light—never afraid to speak openly about living for Christ and being a Christian. His faith wasn’t hidden; it was placed high up, sharing light to so many around him. Charlie also showed what it means to be the Salt of the earth. His influence, especially among the young, was truly amazing. He carried God’s ‘flavor’ in the way he reminded us that Christians are called to preserve goodness in this world, standing against moral decay while boldly speaking about God’s love and truth. Charlie was incredibly intelligent — an amazing leader who stood up boldly for what he believed in. He wasn’t just a speaker; he was a teacher, spreading the Word of God in a way I have never seen before. He taught with conviction, passion, and clarity. When I think about this, I am reminded of Jesus Himself. Everywhere Jesus went, crowds gathered. People were excited to hear Him, to learn from Him, to follow Him. His words carried authority, and His truth brought life. Charlie reflected Christ through his calling. He, too, had followers — not in the ancient hillsides of Galilee, but in today's modern places and spaces of our world, and pointed them to Jesus. Charlie always looked to Christ’s example in his teaching and his boldness to stand for truth. That is part of what it means to be salt and light: to live in such a way that others are drawn not just to us, but to the God we serve. John 8:12 – “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.’”If Charlie’s life showed us anything, it is that the world desperately needs people who will preserve goodness and shine brightly in the face of darkness. That is how we honor his life, and that is how we live out the words of Jesus.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salt can lose its saltiness through dilution. I believe culture, worldly values, bad habits, and secularism can water down our uniqueness as Christians and take away from our ability to serve the Kingdom of God. Paul tells us in Romans 6:22 that we stay salty through sanctification. Sanctification happens daily through the work of the Spirit to make us more like Jesus. That's the goal. Be more like Jesus so we can live with him forever.
The more we work towards the standard Jesus has given us, the better opportunities we have advancing the Kingdom. We want to be a light. We want to help those in need. We want to share the Good News. In 2006, I had the opportunity to meet a man named Steve Larmey. He moved his entire family to Africa, where 75% of the population is under the age of 25, to introduce Jesus to teenagers and started YoungLife Africa. Today, they are in 28 countries, have a staff of 450, and are approaching 440,000 kids attending outreach clubs every week. That is the light of the world, Jesus mentions in Matthew!
