With regard to the relationships of His disciples with the world, Jesus says we are to be salt and light.

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its taste (purpose), how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and walked on by people [when the walkways are wet and slippery]. “You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honour and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:13‭-‬16 AMP

Some things about light:

Light dispels darkness - perhaps that’s obvious. But when a storm has caused power outages, flashlights and candles come in rather handy.

Light welcomes - during the winter months if you are expected for dinner at the home of friends, they are going to leave the porch light on for you.

Light guides - think lighthouses. There are even still today very compelling reasons for the placement of lighthouses along the east coast… and anywhere else there are lighthouses.

Light signals - think traffic lights… railroad crossings… flashing lights on emergency vehicles.

Light improves many processes - imagine sewing in a poorly lit room, or reading in bed while your spouse is trying to sleep

Light exposes - think operating room… or an interrogation room. Or more practically, bathroom and kitchen. I don’t know about you, but I want really good light around the mirror over the bathroom sink and over the stovetop and countertops when I am cooking.

Some things about salt:

Salt preserves - salt-cured ham, for instance.

Salt purifies - have you ever treated a cut or sore with salt water? Or gargled with saltwater?

Salt enhances flavour - steamed broccoli tastes so much better with a little salt.

Salt makes the sweet sweeter and makes the bitter less so - Sea Salt Caramel, anyone? Have you ever made a cobbler and used salted butter… a corner piece where the breading on the edges has almost
caramelised… good stuff. Or, if you have a coffee that tastes a little bitter just a pinch of salt with the ground coffee will reduce the bitterness.

As believers, I think we do each of these things. I think Jesus chose these metaphors purposefully. Believers dispels darkness, welcome, guide, signal, improve things, and expose things in our world, just like light. And, just like salt, we preserve, purify, enhance, make the sweet sweeter and the bitter less so.

I think it is important to reflect on this question: Do salt and light have to DO anything to be effective? Intrinsically, no. Light simply needs to not be covered… or, not extinguished. Salt just needs to be applied. As believers, are we covering our light? Are you afraid to let your co-workers know you are a Christian? Do we even have enough interaction in the world for our saltiness to have an effect? Are your social spheres filled only with believers who think just like you? If the light is covered up, and if the salt stays in the shaker, no one will be impacted.