The Call to be Salt and Light
by: Mark Edwards
September 3, 2025
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”
In the opening of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus introduces the Beatitudes, which describe the attitudes and blessings of those who belong to the Kingdom of heaven. Jesus then transitions from describing the character of Christians to emphasizing their influence in the world. He calls His followers to be 'salt and light,' illustrating their vital role in preserving truth and reflecting His light in a darkened world.
“You are the salt of the earth.” In Jesus’ time, salt was of great value. Salt’s primary purpose was as a preservative. With this salt metaphor, Jesus is calling us to be preservatives to slow down the moral and spiritual decay in this fallen world. And the world is passing away along with its desires (1 John 2:17). There is good in the world, but the world itself is not good.
Salt also adds taste to food and brings out flavors. Jesus is using a metaphor here on how his followers should bring a distinct flavor to a tasteless and joyless world. Apart from God, man desperately looks for flavor in this life and tries everything imaginable to find it. Do our lives provide seasoning that points others to the glory of God or do we just provide another taste of the world? If our lives are truly “salty,” it will create a thirst in others to have what they see in us.
Jesus also cautions us not to lose our saltiness. While the property of salt cannot lose its saltiness, it can be diluted and become useless. This happens when we allow the world to water down our lives. If we become bland and flat, our influence and effectiveness for the Kingdom is diminished. Believers can lose their distinctiveness by blending in with the world.
“You are the light of the world.” Jesus is described in John 8:12 as the “light of the world.” Here in Matthew 5, He extends that identity to us, His followers. This is not because of our own righteousness, but because His light dwells in us. Our call to be the “light of the world” implies that the world is in a state of darkness. Scripture frequently uses the term “darkness” to represent sin, evil, and spiritual ignorance. By contrast, Light symbolizes God’s grace, truth, and salvation.
We are the “light of the world” because of our relationship with Him who is the Light of the World. The Light has taken up residence in us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness (John 12:46).
Light reveals truth and exposes the things of darkness. Jesus was that light, and He exposed the darkness of those who walked in it. His holiness and purity made them see themselves for who they really were. He was despised for this.
Thankfully, light not only exposes darkness, but it also reveals the way out of darkness. As the light of the world, we can be a lighthouse to help guide others into the safe harbor of a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. We function as the light by providing a contrast to the world. We show mankind another way to live.
Let your light SO shine before men. “So” is the key word here pointing out how we are to do good works. They are to be done in such a way that they point to our Heavenly Father. He is to be glorified by them – not ourselves.
In addition to not losing our saltiness, Jesus also instructs us not to hide our light. He calls us to be like “a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.” Our “light” should never be concealed. We are to stand out without escaping the notice of others around us. Our faith is not meant to be private or concealed, but lived out visibly through our actions, attitudes, and love. Our witness will become ineffective and fruitless if our light is hidden, and we become indistinguishable from the world.
The true value of both salt and light lies in the effect they have on their environment. Even a little bit of each can have a great impact on a flavorless and dark world. Our lives should offer a contrast that is distinctly different from the world. Others should notice this difference, though they may not be able to understand or explain it.
The truth of the gospel must be protected in our lives. We can proclaim the gospel with our words, but our life and demeanor cannot be a denial of it. As we bring salt and light into our surroundings, this privileged call from Jesus should become the most distinctive thing about us. More than any talent or accomplishment, it should be our highest glory.
Reflection Questions
Are we bringing the flavor and light of Christ into every room and conversation that we enter?
What in this world have we allowed to dilute our saltiness?
Are we concealing the Light in any way in our lives?
Prayer
Father, thank You for the honor and privilege of being a vessel for “salt and light” in this world. Help us to see any ways we have lost our saltiness or hidden our light. Let us not become just another taste of this world to others. Let our light so shine before others that You are glorified as we pursue lives of righteousness and obedience. Amen
Further Study
Colossians 4:6; Mark 9:50; John 1:5; Matthew 4:16; John 9:5; Psalms 18:28; Psalms 119:105; John 8:12
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