When you read the words of encouragement that Jesus gave His disciples in the Gospel of Matthew, you will see a solution to the problems of our nation. Our world is filled with people with broken hearts. The reason they have broken hearts lies in the fact that we have all been born with a sinful nature, and our natural reaction to life is to be sinful, rebellious and hurtful.
When Jesus gave what is known as The Sermon on the Mount, which starts in Matthew chapter five, we see words that will challenge you as a disciple of Jesus. It challenged the disciples and the people who first heard it, and it also challenges us as disciples today.
"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. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In 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 ESV).
Jesus Christ has asked His followers to be the salt and light of the world. Why? Well, it's because we live in a broken and torn world where many people do not see hope for the future. Our natural inclination is to sin first and think of the consequences later. This passage challenges us to be different. This passage challenges us to stand out in a dark and wounded world and say I want to make a difference. I want to help people heal.
Salt was used to preserve meat because it added a longer life to whatever meat it touched. One Bible commentator said that the Roman soldiers in Jesus time, were often paid in the form of salt, because of its usefulness. It came to be known as "salt money."
The experts say that it's impossible for pure salt to lose its saltiness, but if it is mixed in with other chemicals it becomes corrupt and is no longer pure.
This refers to our spiritual responsibility within the world. If our lives are not making a difference in our world, then we have lost our usefulness as Christians. This does not refer to a loss of salvation but rather a loss of usefulness in the Kingdom of God, which Jesus speaks about in the Beatitudes.
In a similar way, light cannot help but shine when it is set on a hill or placed within a room. It naturally gives off light in the midst of darkness. You are not asked to put your light under a basket, because (once again) this does no good to anyone.
These two metaphors describe how our lives are to enhance the world we live in. Whatever nation you live in, this is a solution to the brokenness that is so clearly seen all around us. If we are able to live up to these standards of living that Jesus set out for us, then our hearts will be healed from the darkness and oppression of Satan and the world. Why? Because when we live our lives as salt and light in the world, everyone will see our good works and God gets all the glory.
When we get all the glory, in any given situation, it goes to our heads and God has no place to shine and make a difference. When we are truly living the way God wants us to live through the teachings of Jesus, we are not only letting our good works be seen but we are also renewing, enhancing, preserving, and lighting up our own lives. This is where healing occurs for us and those around us. When God starts to get the glory the natural response is healing.
Are we causing pain and suffering to those around us? Are we being the salt and light that Jesus has asked us to be? Pure salt cannot lose it saltiness and a light that is set in darkness automatically shines forth.
Sometimes we have to stop pointing the finger at those around us, and start to work on our own lives. The best way to do this is to be salt and light. Salt and light are two essential ingredients that make our lives better. The best way to heal your nation is to live by example and be salt and light. In return those that are lost and broken will come to the true light which is Jesus.
Parry Stelter is originally from Alexander First Nation and is Founder of Word of Hope Ministries http://www.wordofhopeministries.ca
