As part of the WoW 2021 theme this year, we are talking about what it means to be Salt & Light as Christians. I recently shared how we must have the qualities of salt in our lives. Here, my good friend, Kathleen, continues the conversation about how our faith should be like salt and light as we represent God’s love to the world around us!
Parts of the post are an excerpt from Finding The Way; Proclaiming Jesus As Truth by L. Kathleen Cline.
Our faith is like Salt & Light
After researching a few articles, specifically on how far one could see a single candle, I was bombarded with technical jargon concerning the candle’s efficiency, variables in the eye, air, and candle. To my fright, there were even formulas to help calculate everything listed concerning these variables. After I fled from the overwhelming sites, I realized the differences in the research of light and salt. Pure salt is good for its purpose. If salt becomes contaminated and cannot serve its purpose, it needs to be thrown out. Light is different in that light’s effectiveness is subject to outside influences. However, even if light is weak, it still gives off light. You can actually see this observation in Jesus’s words.
“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 underfoot by men”.
Matthew 5:13
“Let your light shine before me in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven”.
Matthew 5:16
What is it about a Christ-follower’s faith that could make them worthless, and what is it about a Christ-follower’s walk that is adjustable?
Society need to see us living out our faith.
If you look at the spiritual aspect and the comparison that Jesus is metaphorically using, Christians are a necessity to society. Our purpose as Christians is to add that life-giving additive of hope that Jesus provides, along with strong morals and ethics. Society needs to see Christians living out their faith and acting as a beacon of light in a dark world. The last year and a half have been trying for all. As Christ-followers, each of us must ask if our lives reflect the fear around us or our trust in God? Are we relying on God, or are we relying on man to solve our problems?
People see hope through our faith
Our faith is worthless if we look just like society in our actions, interactions, speech, or morals. If we conform to blend with society for peace’s sake, then we are betraying our God. It does not matter how many verses we quote or paint on our walls. How we live declares our loyalty. People need to see the hope that God has to offer. God is actually displayed in our lives by our daily interactions with people. He is on the smile we give to the not-so-nicely-dressed stranger. God is exhibited on our social media as we post various topics. We represent God in how we drive, and we have opportunities to express His love in the heat of a dispute.
Our faith should accurately represent God’s love
Please allow me to show you how society sees hypocrisy. If you are having an affair, you declare love is conditional. When you verbally abuse and degrade, you declare that love is only for some. When you judge according to appearance, you declare that love gives preference. Do you get the point? As Christ-followers we represent God’s love by being light and salt to those around us. Love is a language spoken in actions and not just words.
Spend some quality time with God and ask Him what about your faith walk needs adjusting.
Don’t forget that many times there are habits in our lives that just need to be removed. Only God can help you get a clear picture of how you are displaying Him to the people around you.
~Kathleen
Kathleen is an author, teacher, and speaker. She has recently written a series of children’s books. Check out more about Kathleen at Kathleencline.com
Join us for more about Salt & Light at Women of the Way 2021!! Check out the WoW TN page for details on this year’s in person gatherings as well as watching on Facebook Live!