There are many passages of Scripture that speak of a Christian’s influence in the world. None, however, are more descriptive than what Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:13-16. This was spoken during His famous Sermon on the Mount, which creatively communicates what Jesus wanted His followers to be and to do.It is clear from many of Jesus’ teachings that he wanted His followers to be set apart from, however, very much involved in their world. According to John Stott, “Jesus emphasized that His true followers, the citizens of God’s kingdom, were to be entirely different from others. They were not to take their cue from the people around them, but from Him, and so prove to be genuine children of their heavenly Father” (7).
Jesus asserts in vv. 13-16 that His followers are to be both salt and light in the world. Both of these complement one another even though one impedes and the other improves. For one to understand the salt/light reference, he or she must first understand the context. In those days, salt was valuable because of its ability to preserve not season. Salt was used to prevent decay, while light was responsible for illuminating the darkness. When explaining this passage, Stott affirms that believers are called by Christ “…to stop the spread of evil…(and) promote the spread of truth, beauty and goodness” (59).
When believers are not functioning as salt/light in their world, two negatives occur. First is that they lose their effectiveness. Just as tasteless salt is worthless, so is a Christian that is not combating evil in the world. The second negative is that their light is hidden. If Christians do not let their light shine, they look no different from anyone else and are unable to demonstrate to nonbelievers the glory of God and/or the love that comes from Him. According to Stott, “Probably the greatest tragedy of the church throughout its long and checkered history has been its constant tendency to conform to the prevailing culture instead of developing a Christian counterculture” (59).
Stott, John. Sermon on the Mount: 13 Studies for individuals or groups. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press. 1987.
