LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE


 

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

13“You are the salt of the earth,

but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.”

14“You are the light of the world.

A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.

16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

MATTHEW 5:13-16

COMMENTARY

Continuing with the preaching of the Beatitudes, Jesus spoke of the characteristics of the true follower.

He compared the true followers of the Messiah, as the salt of the earth. The ones who were destined to give pleasant taste to everyday life, meaning righteousness, to the world around them. Godly righteousness at work, at home, with their friends, and in every aspect of life they encounter themselves in.

He also compared them to the ‘lights of the world’, who transmit the ‘light of the Gospel’, or the light of God, to society, acting with rectitude in everything that they do, so that those who see them, should give God thanks for them, glorifying God for been the reason of this behavior.

But also, Jesus equally warned them, that a light is not set to be hidden, because it would not be fulfilling its duty. The same as a Christian who does not behave according to God’s will.

And that a Christian, instead of seasoning life with righteousness, as salt does to food. Those Christians who do not shine, have forfeited their mission, and are only good to be “thrown out and trampled under people’s feet”, meaning, that they walk towards condemnation.

This is a real warning, that contradicts the idea that ‘mental faith’ without obedience saves; or that we can be assured of our salvation, despite our behavior.

Omar Flores.

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