13 “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. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Our Lord continues His radical life-style proclamation, relying continually on simple words rather than sophisticated oration. His message now is that Christians should have an impact on the world that is as basic as salt and light. Salt in the ancient Near East was used for both flavoring and preserving food, though Jesus uses it here in the first sense primarily. Christians are to add spice to the world, not just to intermix with it unnoticed. In the workplace, the community, the neighborhood, family gatherings–Christians bring moral perspective, relational balance, spiritual insight.

Salt that loses its taste is only good for being “thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” Today salt is thrown down on roads or walkways to melt ice; it is cheap and coarse, to be walked on and driven on but it adds no “flavor”! When the Romans invaded Israel in the later 1st century, they poured massive amounts of salt on the farmland, destroying its agricultural use for centuries. God has not called Christians to be destructive or even neutral, but our presence in life situations should bring constructive fresh air and a sense of well-being—in other words, flavor.

Christ-followers are called also to be shining lights in the world. They give clarity to relationships, concerns and discussions. They may not have the answers to all life’s issues, but they can help others see these things by their gracious, clear-mindedness. Not out of arrogance, but to draw attention to “your Father who is in heaven.”

Being a follower of Christ is not merely about knowing the right words, experiencing great blessings or even enjoying eternal salvation. It is also about our behavior (see James 1:22). The Christian’s good works, motivated by the desire to enhance God’s reputation, should be apparent to all. Indeed, we are saved by grace through faith, so that we might do the “works” God created us for in the first place (see Eph 2:8-10). This reflects Him very well.

Lord, help me be a doer of Your word, not just one who hears it. I commit to being salt and light today in my work and my community, and to live in such a way that people gain a favorable impression of You.