"You are the salt and light 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 by men...In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." ~Matthew 5:13,16.
For the past couple of months, I've been deeply racking my brain in a quest to find out what it really means to be a Christian. Different people have different ways of defining Christianity. For some, it means going to church every Sunday; For others, it's more like, "I was brought up in a Christian home, so I am a Christian"; Yet for another crop, it's that simple profession that indeed, "I am a Christian." But if the greatest book ever written is anything to go by, then we know that Christianity is more than just these claims.
I recently joined a bible study group and the book we're studying for the next couple of months is the gospel according to Matthew. Two lessons into the study and the profound truths I am learning have made me realize that I have settled into a cosy comfort zone in my faith and that I have a long way to go. With reference to the excerpt above, the entire passage is based on Christ's teachings about being the salt and light of the earth. Let me share with you some characteristics we learnt about salt (which believers should embody).
i) Salt is pure- Just as salt is pure, every believer should exemplify purity and the highest godly standards in every area of life.
ii) Salt adds flavour- You should add value to those around you and be a blessing in your community.
iii) Salt sanitizes- It stings to add salt to a wound but brings healing ultimately; In the same way, a believer should give the word of God - "that stings" - and makes those living in sin uncomfortable enough to desire to change their ways.
iv) Salt creates thirst- We should create thirst for God within those in our midst.
v) Salt is a preservative- We should preserve society and ensure our presence lowers the rate of decay (moral, spiritual, etc) in our surrounding.
In short, contamination of salt makes it lose its saltiness. As a believer, do not allow your yourself to be contaminated by all that goes against God's will for our lives. We should illuminate Christ to the world inspite of the persecution, rejection and challenges that we will face along the way.
A secret Christian is a contradiction, just like a hidden light.
This is my take: To be a believer, there is a cost, just like there is in living outside the will of God. The only difference is that the benefit of living in God far outweighs the cost. Your choice.
Be blessed.
This song puts it pretty well. (Courtesy: youtube.com)
