A Radical Shift

“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltines be restored?… You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:13,14

This morning we continue to read the words of Jesus given in a sermon entitled by many, “The Sermon On The Mount,” Matthew 5:13-37.  

As I read through this text, I came away shaken in spirit.  I was reminded of how radical Christianity really is!  Christianity has such a radical effect on a person that the scripture characterizes a person as being, “Salt and Light in the world.”  Question, “Does this describe You and I as followers of Christ?”

In answering this question we need to dig a little deeper.  When Jesus used the metaphor of salt he was speaking of something that preserved and something that brought flavor.  The person who has been redeemed now lives a life that is different.  He or she is living a Holy life when they used to live a life filled with hell.  In this way we are preserving the world from more ungodliness.  In the same way we are showing the world a different way (We are a light to this world).

Brothers and sisters, such a life demands a radical shift.  Our lives must come under the daily scrutiny of the Word Of God.  When we do, there will be a radical shift.

For example, Lets look at Matthew 5:21-26, where Jesus deals with anger in a believer’s life.  First Jesus shares about how we are to Treat others.  We are not be angry with, insult, or call our brothers a fool.  We are to treat others as we have been treated by God.  Second Jesus share about how we are to be a Testimony before others.  As we worship together God’s conviction comes through his word.  We are convicted that we are out of fellowship with someone (We have no treated others correctly).  The radical shift comes as we seek that person out with the desire for reconciliation.

These verses alone will shake a person.  But couple them with the rest of the text and you will be shaped into a person who is salt and light.

I want to challenge you to make a radical shift.  Become a student of the word and salt and light before the world.  You will be radical and those around you will, “Glorify God in you!”

For further study read Ephesians 5:1-21.  Also read, “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life,” by Don Whitney.  By the way, this book is being taught in our spring Life University Classes.