Salt and Light

“Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?  It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”  Luke 14:34-35


“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."  Matthew 5:13-14


I have been thinking about these verses a lot today.  But not in the usual way.  


Last night, I found myself in a discussion that really challenged how Christians are "supposed" to behave.  A friend had made a comment supporting a particular political position.  Or, more accurately, he had supported the political opinion that had been voiced by another person.  My friend was promptly bashed for his support.  What was it that was so offensive?  It wasn't his political opinion per-se (although I suspect this was the root of it).  It wasn't his tone or his words, he wasn't rude or crude or obnoxious.  No, the thing that was so offensive to his basher was this:  He is a minister.  According to the offending party, ministers are not allowed to have political opinions.  Her complaint?  That his opinion was "divisive" and not becoming of a pastor.  


Before I go off on a tangent here, let me get to the point of this post.  It isn't about political opinions, although I believe pastors have a right and a duty to be politically involved.  It is, rather, about Christianity in general and how we as Christians are to influence the world.  This person who was so offended obviously believes Christians are to be kind and gentle and peacemaking at all times.  They are never to engage in debate or in any conversation that might be perceived as "divisive.  I beg to differ.  This is where salt and light come in.  Most Christians should be familiar with the verses above and with the teachings on salt and light.  But today, God revealed something new to me.  


Salt:  Salt is a flavor enhancer and a preservative.  The comparison to the Christian life is obvious.  We are to enhance the world around us for Christ.  We are to make the world around us better.  But here is the thing about salt.  Salt on bland food brings out it's flavor.  Salt on meat will keep it good.  But what about salt on a wound?  Ouch.  It stings.  Salt on the open wound of sin is not going to be well received.  It hurts.  And salt is, well, salty.  It isn't sweet.  Salt is also useful as a cleaner because it is...abrasive.  Sometimes as the salt of the earth Christians are going to have to share truth that stings, truth that doesn't seem "sweet",  truth that may seem abrasive.


Light:  Light dispels the darkness.  Light brings life.  Light is healing and warming and good.  But have you ever been in a dark room, sleeping perhaps, and had someone suddenly switch on the lights?  It hurts your eyes.  Or have you stepped out of a darkened theater into the bright sunlight?  You draw back and cover your eyes because the brightness of the light is too much.  People who are hiding in the darkness, concealing their sin, are not going to be thrilled to have the Light shined on them-at least not initially. 


And so, as salt and light, it is important to remember that the Christian life is not always easy.  It is not always pleasant.  And it is not always going to be met with enthusiasm by the world.  In fact, it is rarely met with enthusiasm.  But we are still called to be salty.  We are still called to shine the Light.