Do I need to add more "seasoning"?

Salt. Garlic. Pepper. Cayenne.

These are seasonings that we add to give our food better flavor.

Love. Compassion. Caring. Serving.

These are lifestyles we live that add "flavor" to our world making it a better place.

Matthew records Jesus' words that tell us that we are "the salt of the earth". But what happens when Christian look more like the world than Christ? They become bland. One commentary for this passage says, "If we are too much like the world, we are worthless." It is our responsibility, as followers of Christ, to live like He did adding "seasoning" to the world around us and to those we meet to bring out the best in them!

Jesus then adds that we are to be a "light" - like a city on a hill. When I read this my minds eye takes me to one of my favorite places, Gatlinburg. When you drive or walk along the streets, and you look up, you see houses glowing on the mountainside and it's breathtaking! There is no way you can miss them! When followers of Jesus Christ live for Him, we glow, like those lights on the hillside - showing others what Jesus is like.

Verse 15 says, "No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket." Instead that light it put on a stand, lifted up to light everything around them.

But, not every house on the mountain is glowing with lights, and not all Christians are shining a light for Christ.

So what does it look like when we hide our light?

. . . we're silent when we should speak up

. . . we go along with the crowd

. . . we let sin snuff out our light

. . . we choose not to share about Jesus

. . . we see a need and ignore it

. . . we look more like the world than Jesus

Unfortunately I have to admit, I've been there. I've not always shone as brightly as I could have. I've allowed something to hold me back - most often it's fear. So, what if we choose to make little or no effort to affect the world around us for Jesus, what does that say about our relationship with Him? What does that say about my faith?

James asks the question . . . "What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions?" (2:14) He goes on to say, "faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless." (2:17)

Our faith in Jesus Christ, combined with our actions - these are an outward expression of our faith, create a light so bright that it can't be denied! A light so bright that others will want to know how they can have that same light too!

So, when my light begins to dim how do I "brighten" the glow?

Seek Him with all my heart! (Jeremiah 29:13)

Love Him with ALL my heart, soul, mind and strength. And love my neighbor as myself. (Luke 10:27)

Now let's go out there and SHINE for Jesus!

(Matthew 5:13-16 is where you'll find the message of Salt & Light.)