Remember Who You Are

by Micky Galloway

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do (men) light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16).

Certainly, we live in a wicked world and the current events of the day that bombard us often become overwhelming, depressing, and frustrating to say the least. Indeed, there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The wisdom writer said, “There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun …” (Ecclesiastes 5:13; 6:1). “Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” (Ecclesiastes 7:20; cf. Romans 3:10-18).

During such tumultuous times remember who you are! In the New Testament, Christians had a great impact on the ungodly world. “And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved … And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women … We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching … They ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus (as) the Christ … They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the word” (Acts 2:46-47; 5:14, 28, 42; 8:4). In Thessalonica, they were accused of turning “the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). The church was referred to as a “sect ... that everywhere it is spoken against” (Acts 28:22). Likewise, Christians today must appreciate and use their unique position in the world to “glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

“You are the salt of the earth.” Salt has distinctive qualities. It flavors food. Christians flavor the world with goodness. Paul was very concerned that the Ephesians and Colossians NOT go back and live like they used to. The shameful things they practiced in the past were not even to “be named among you, as becometh saints” (Ephesians 4:17-5:12). Instead they were to, “Set your mind on the things that are above …” (Colossians 3:2). How can the world know how to live; that there is a better way, unless they see Christ living in us (cf. Galatians 2:20)? Salt also preserves against rottenness. In a worldwide pandemic we are concerned about the spread of COVID-19. Do we know that Christians who live by faith are vanguards against the spread of sin? Jude called on Christians to “contend earnestly for the faith” and then told them why. “For there are certain men crept in privily, (even) they who were of old written of beforehand unto this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 3-4). If we do nothing, not only do we cease to be faithful, but we encourage sin. We cannot remain neutral! In Ezekiel’s day, the prophets, priests, and princes had vexed the people with their corruption (Ezekiel 22). Ezekiel said, “And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none” (Ezekiel 22:30). Not one who would “stand in the gap” and stop the corruption among God’s people! Interestingly enough, salt creates a thirst. Live so as to create interest within others to become Christians (cf. I Peter 2:11-12; 3:15-16). No matter who you are; parent, child, teacher, laborer, etc. Stand up and show the world who you are!

“You are the light of the world.” Your life must be a shining light in the dark world of sin! We teach our little ones the song, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine …” Your light must be something others can see. “A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do (men) light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house” (Matthew 5:14-15). If you are going to influence others, your light must function to give direction to those who practice sin. How do you do that? “… God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I John 1:5-7). Read the text!

“For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them; For ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord; and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them” (Ephesians 5:5-11). Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). If you are not walking in the light you must repent. John said, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).

Jesus came to bring life and light into a dark and dying world (John 1:4-5). Remember who you are! “Ye are the salt of the earth … Ye are the light of the world.” Live your life with purpose; “that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16).