Believers are Salt and Light.

Matthew 5:13-16 says, "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 under foot 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." I remember memorizing these verses in one of the many religion classes I took from Coach Pierce's in high school. At the time I was just going through the motions and memorizing it to make a good grade, but tonight I truly understand the significance of this passage.  

Ben Connelly from The City Church here in Fort Worth spoke at our campus ministry, Ignite, tonight. He dissected these verses for us to grasp the concept of salt and light more clearly. Light is the only thing that can push back dark. When you think about it, how could darkness possibly cover light? It just can't. But, too often our lives don't mirror this image. Instead of a city on a hill, we hide it away from the world. We put our light under a basket instead of being a light before others. Something is missing if we're not doing what God tells us to do. 

If you are salt without light, no one can see your good works. Our lives try to shine light but because we don't know and spend time with Jesus it's difficult. Salt without light is about input and no outflow. 
If salt becomes diluted, there is no use for it. Therefore, we don't have the ability to shine this "light." To be pure and salty is to live for Jesus. Pour out and shine light to penetrate the darkness in the world, whatever that may be for you. This is only possible if Jesus has motivated you. God tells Abraham that He is going to bless him so that he can bless others. Gods priority is love and making disciples. 

One thing that Ben said that really stood out to me was, "You don't have the power to show Christ unless He's dwelling within you." Now this scares me if I'm being honest. Believers want so badly to show Christ, but don't have that ability unless He's living inside of us. This motivates me to take a deeper look into myself and see Christ working within me. It breaks my heart to think that so many people say they're Christ followers, yet shy into the darkness because of their insecurities. This has all been us at one time or another. 

We need to fill ourselves up with community and discipleship. Don't leave people outside the Christian bubble, in the darkness. Jesus ate with the tax collectors and prostitutes and hung out with lepers. This walk with Him isn't supposed to be comfortable, it's a fine line that we walk. He laid down this life so we can be disciples for Him. 

Ben beautifully ended by saying, "It's about loving people enough so they know what we claim to be the centerpiece of our lives."

Be the Salt and the Light,
Courtney