“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:13-16 NLT
We are to be the salt and the light. The LIGHT OF TRUTH that shines upon the poison of sin and produces conviction, and the SALT that comes from our TEARS OF COMPASSION for our fellow man’s struggles.
If we lose our compassion, our love for our fellow man, regardless of his state, station, or circumstances – our words, our actions, our everything is worthless – because it lacks love. Without the salt of compassion we are just loud, proud, self righteous gongs clanging against each other in the midst of a storm where others need peace. They will trample us underfoot as useless to them.
If we compromise truth, or we find ourselves ashamed to stand firmly upon the whole truth – if we do not let the truth of our following in His footsteps shine forth into this dark world, if we refuse to preach as He did, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” because we fear the opinions of men more than we fear being unfaithful to our God who commands us “Go make disciples of all nations” – what God is that? Will we allow the comfort of pleasantries today to weigh on our minds more heavily than the questions of “why didn’t you warn me” as we find their blood on our hands?
Leave out the salt and only bring light and you will find yourself very religious but very loveless. You might know the history lesson about Jesus and God, but your lamp is empty of the annointing oil that feeds the flame of love. You have lost that love and mercy towards others that you claim so boldly from God for yourself. Repent and remember love.
Leave out the light and only bring salt and you will find yourself sinking in the sand of tolerance and apathy towards sinfulness, and you will realize the very real need for sanctification and righteousness. You will be welcoming religious converts into a synagogue of Satan that denies the power of God to driver lives and overcome sin. You will find yourself surrounded by lasciviousness and wickedness rampant and quickly choking out the saints who dwell amongst your favorite demons. Repent and remember truth.
Walk in both salt and light, hand in hand with Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and you have found that narrow path. Remain and abide. Do not turn back. Set your eyes upon your goal, and run your race to the finish.
Peaceful and wise.
Go.
Harold J. Ballinger 