The Salt Of The Earth

The beatitudes conclude with a change of perspective. Persecution is the way worldly people are likely to react to Christians, but Christians must not let persecution or the threat of persecution keep them from continuing to live holy lives. The final beatitude about the blessedness of persecution for the sake of righteousness could be titled How The World Affects Christians. This next passage could be How To Affect The World. The words are familiar, but the unchanging principles are forever worth our exploration and the applications of those principles to your life and mine and limitless. The metaphors Jesus used in verses 13-16 both connote the concept of influence.

By describing us as the salt of the earth, Jesus describes an invisible way believers have a cooling impact on the affairs of men. Look at the whole section, then today, we dip our toes into the first of the two metaphors.

Matthew 5:13-16: You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.