What Does It Mean to Walk as Salt and Light?

Sometimes we put a burden on ourselves we are not meant to carry. We expect ourselves to walk upright in our own strength.

I know I do. I don’t want others to see my missteps. I don’t want people to think less of me. 

We make the mistake of feeling we must be perfect. We feel we must…

• express ourselves eloquently
• struggle infrequently, if at all
• have just the right word or be in just the right place
• always respond appropriately
• never have a bad moment

Oh, how I wish that could be the case! But honestly, it’s not. 

We all have our moments we wish we could take back. We all struggle in life.

But let me take the pressure off. No, let God take the pressure off. “a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law” (Romans 3:28).

Being a Christian doesn’t mean you won’t struggle; being a Christian means you have Someone who has your back when you do.

Being a Christian doesn't mean you won't struggle; it means you have Someone who has your back when you do. Click To Tweet

Being a Christian is loving Jesus, living authentically in the truth of Scripture, and resting in God’s grace when we misstep. 

We are saved not on our own merits, but by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

We gain salvation not by the perfection of our walk, but by the perfect walk of our Savior. 

We gain salvation not by the perfection of our walk, but by the perfect walk of our Savior. Click To Tweet

Called To Be Salt and Light

To be certain, as a Christian, God calls us to a high standard of wholesomeness and righteousness.

To be just as certain,

He knew Satan would sorely and repeatedly tempt us. So He, as Father, gave us the truth in Scripture.

He knew the pull of our flesh would be strong. So He gave us a Helper and Comforter in the Holy Spirit.

He knew we’d never live a perfectly righteous or wholesome earthly existence. So He gave us a Savior and Redeemer who could.

God asks us then to be living sacrifices, to walk as salt and light in a sin-filled and dark world. To crucify our flesh and walk in authentic worship. 

“Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Letting our minds be constantly renewed and our lives be continually transformed by His Word. 

“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” John 17:17

Not to walk in self-righteousness, as one who has it all together. But to walk as one being sanctified, serving with humility in the knowledge of and gratitude for the mercy we receive from Him. 

We minister from the place in which we find ourselves through His all-sufficient grace: as broken and redeemed children of God.

We journey imperfectly in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, reflecting Him to those around us.

Because what does it say about God if we act like we can handle it all on our own? What honor does it give God if we pretend we have it all together? 

In the life that you lead, know that it’s okay to let your weakness be known, so others can see God’s grace in action. It’s in this manner that each of us proclaims God’s glory for all to see. 

And from this position of humility, we are well placed to encourage and minister to those around us. To be salt and light to the lost and broken.

From a position of humility, we are well placed to encourage & minister, to be salt & light to the lost & broken. Click To Tweet

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men. You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket,but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.” Matthew 5:13-15

Reflections: This topic intrigues me. What does it mean to you to be salt and light in the world? 

I am always thrilled to link up with Suzie Eller for #livefreeThursday and this week’s prompt, “salty.” Click on the image to check out the wonderful encouragement.