In this episode, Pastor Ted Wilson talks about being salt and light to the world, what Jesus means by this, and why we should be such.
Jesus said, "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 underfoot…" (Matthew 5:13).
Salt not only brings flavor; it also serves as a preservative.
When Jesus calls us to be like salt, He invites us to become agents in saving others. "Christians who are purified through the truth will possess saving qualities that preserve the world from utter moral corruption" (Ellen White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, page 35).
To accomplish this mission, we must mingle with others through caring, personal contact. They must see Christ's love and righteousness in our lives, allowing the Holy Spirit to win their hearts as they see our Christ-like love for them.
However, this does not come by our own power but with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Ellen White says, "Without a living faith in Christ as a personal Savior, it is impossible to make our influence felt in a skeptical world. We cannot give to others that which we do not ourselves possess. It is in proportion to our own devotion and consecration to Christ that we exert an influence for the blessing and uplifting of mankind" (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 36).
Aside from salt, Jesus also compared His followers to light. "You are the light of the world," He said. "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." Then, He instructed, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16).
We have no light within ourselves. But when Jesus, the Light of the World, comes into our lives, "He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life" (John 8:12).
As Jesus gives us His light, we must share His truth with other people. We are to "look upon every needy soul as our neighbor and the world as our field," Ellen White writes. "If the church of Christ were fulfilling the purpose of our Lord, light would be shed upon all that sit in darkness…Instead of congregating together and shunning responsibility and cross bearing, the members of the church would scatter into all lands, letting the light of Christ shine out from them, working as He did for the salvation of souls, and this 'gospel of the kingdom' would speedily be carried to all the world" (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pages 42-43).
Are you ready to be like salt, preserving others for God's kingdom? Are you willing to go and let His light shine through you and on everyone you come in contact with?
To learn more about this topic, read Ellen White's book Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing and download its digital copy at https://egwwritings.org/.