13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14” You are the light of the world- like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (Matt. 5:13-16, NLT)
The use of salt and light reflect on how we are to live as believers in our society. We are not to withdraw and be separatists. Yet, we cannot hold out hope for a “Christian” government. We are the preserving agent, and anyone who argues otherwise is choosing to read history with their own stained glass readers.
In reading some commentaries on this passage in my study, I also found this thought:
But we must remain active preservative agents, indeed irritants, in calling the world to heed God’s standards. (New American Commentary on Matthew)
Irritants.
I am liking that word, to be honest. It is a great word in a day when the powers that be in Washington can’t get things ironed out. I can say with some sense of glee: “A pox on both your houses!”
Why? Because I’m called to be an irritant!
But not just for the sake of being irritating. Some people REALLY have that gift…
But to shed true light in areas of darkness. The things of darkness are irritated when light comes around.
So, BEHOLD, go forth and be an irritant for Jesus today!
Apprentice 2 Jesus 