SALT AND LIGHT

Passage: Matthew 5:13-16

Key verse: 13,14

NIV

Salt and Light

13 “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 underfoot.(A)

14 “You are the light of the world.(B) A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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.(C) 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others,(D) that they may see your good deeds(E) and glorify(F) your Father in heaven.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth, (A)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 (B)“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 (C)Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so (D)that[a] they may see your good works and (E)give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 5:16 Or house. 16Let your light so shine before others that
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. You are the salt of the earth (13)

Jesus' disciples must be salty. Salt preserves and prevents corruption; it makes tasteless food tasty. Salty Christians are those who do not compromise with the world or accept its standards. They may be laughed at, and/or persecuted, but their influence is felt. Those who lose their saltiness by compromising with the values and morals of society are worse than useless.

2. You are the light of the world (14-16)

God wants his people to shine the light of his truth and love into the world. Our Puritan forefathers wanted America to be an exemplary Christian nation, like a city on a hill, giving God's light to the whole world. May God fulfill in this land the original purpose of our forefathers. When we obey God's word, and do good deeds for his glory, his light shines from our lives. This brings honor to our Father in heaven.

Prayer: Lord, remove our inner corruption and make America like a city on a hill that gives the light of God's love and salvation to all the people of the world.

One Word: Be salt and light