“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)
From time to time human frustration takes over and serving God by serving people can become drudgery. It’s not that Christians are ready to give up, we just want people to stop telling us how we ought to do ministry. Some think Christians should be super evangelists, sharing the Gospel with every person we meet. Many think visitation with the forgotten and disenfranchised is the proper focus. Yet, others insist that a helping hand to the homeless is where Christians should minister. But the Bible has the answer for us all.
It might surprise most Christians to learn that Jesus taught us to think counter-culterally. He taught that blessing comes because we realize our need for God (Mt. 5:3). Who doesn’t need him to enable ministry? Blessed comfort comes when we mourn (5:4). Who hasn’t mourned over the responsibilities of ministry? Blessings of reward come as a result of our meek behavior and attitude (5:5). Who doesn’t need a good dose of humility and gentleness? And then there are those other considerations: the desire for righteousness (5:6); sharing mercy (5:7); maintaining a pure heart (5:8); keeping the peace (5:9); and being rejected and abused because of Christ (5:10-12). Of course, the Pharisees thought Jesus was crazy for teaching this revolutionary way of thinking.
Yet, Jesus wanted his followers to know they are the salt in the earth and the light of the world. This changes things. As we transform our thinking to be aligned with Christ’s, He will cause us to be salty in the earth and make our lights shine to the world. And that dispels the frustrations and opens the door for further ministry.
Dear Father, thank you for Jesus Christ who taught us to be salt and light. Empower us with the spiritual fortitude to think like He thought and minister like He ministered. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today as salt and light in the Kingdom,