You are More Valuable Than You Think
You may not know this, but at the instance you were born again you became a citizen of heaven who is valuable on earth. You have prestige because you have a certain value and responsibilities that you did not have (and could not have had) before you were born again. Our value on earth is based on our status (which angels cannot attain) and our responsibilities as children of God (which angels cannot perform).
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shares two divine truths describing Christians’ value and responsibilities. The first truth is:
“You are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13a, NIV).
Salt preserves food and delays the decaying process. Jesus is not talking about meat; he is referring to the moral decay of the unbelievers (the world). Value – Christians are in the earth to be spiritual influencers, to delay their generation’s overwhelming moral and spiritual decay by preaching the gospel, and to live a righteous life in view of the unrighteous. Responsibility – We are to mingle with the world but not adapt to its standard or we will become useless for the Master’s use. Jesus explained it this way:
“But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot” (Matthew 5:13b, NIV).
How can one lose his “saltiness?” One example is that some saints think that Christians should not associate with unbelievers and they quote Amos 3:3 – “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” These Christians will never win souls for Christ because there are no unbelievers in their world. Another example is that some Christians are poor witnesses for Christ because their lifestyles closely resemble the world: little white lies, cheat on taxes, racism, sexism, ageism, etc. The world does not respect them as representatives of God; therefore they cannot win souls for Christ.
The Christian who is true salt daily models the following scripture: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
The second divine truth Jesus shares describing Christians’ value and responsibilities is:
“You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14a, NIV).
Jesus is the light (John 8:12a). Our light is derived from our relationship to Christ (John 8:12b). Our light is not our own but is the reflection of Christ’s light. This light does not provide physical light, but provides Godly knowing, perception, and understanding. Unbelievers do not like this light; they do not want to know or understand Godly truths. “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed’ (John 3:20).
Jesus urged his disciples to shine bright whether they are well received or not:
“A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew5:14b-16).
“In other words, you’re not a private Christian. Your faith must go public. There are no convert, secret Christians in the church. Are you a light among your family and acquaintances? Are you a light at work and in the gym? Are you a light in your culture and in your community?…A good work is a righteous and biblically authorized action that is beneficial to others and for which God gets the credit (Tony Evans).
Christians, we all are designated the salt of the earth and the light of the world by heaven. This is a divine truth. We all are valuable to the kingdom of heaven. The real question is will we as individuals take responsibility and be who we are equipped and called to be even though we will not be readily received by the dark world around us. Will you do everything you can to keep evil from spreading and ignorance from winning over our present and future generations? Will you be the mentor, teacher, preacher, evangelist, or counselor to help some to become born again and to become disciples of Christ. Will you be impactful salt and light?
What say you? Join the conversation.
Dr. Dorothy J. Haire
Author & Blogger
Both church planter and pastor of Bread of Life Christian Church for the last 18 years, Dr. Haire is a beloved mother and successful author. Empowered to deliver the word of God to His people, Dr. Haire uses her digital platform to educate and develop Christian communities that are rooted in the word of Christ.
Pastor I agree we as Christians need to be a light to show other to Christ. Some times we are the only bible or the only person they will come in contact with to share Christ with. Don’t miss your opportunity to share when the door is open. Live your live in public so people want to know the God that you serve.
Hide and Seek!! That’s the term that came to me as I read this blog. Too many of us have gone into hiding from holy living. Being shut in during this Pandemic has caused us to SHUT God out. Temporary isolation has isolated righteous living from is. We have grown fat and lazy, even dull of hearing. Repent and come back to Holiness, be of true service to God. Standing idle on the side lines is vain, fruitless.
I thank and praise God for my salvation to day, God has bless me to share with others Encourage and pray, and Iive the same thing at home, with God help. Because he lives in me. To God be the glory and thank for it all.
Thank you Dr Haire for this weeks blog,
The word of God is real. If we, as Christians do not reflect a Godly
life style among all man and not just around the saints we mars our witnessing when we try to fit into the worldly ways. My heart desire is to continue to be salty before all man so that man will see God’s reflection I’m my life and desire a changed life from the worlds way of life.
What a powerful consideration. Are you impactful salt and light. The key word is IMPACTFUL!
I am a light in a dark place. I am royalty. My Christianity isn’t private. I’m determined in making it known that I love God.
Dr Haire thank you for sharing this blog Value – I want to be a spiritual influencers, and to live a righteous life around the unrighteous and unbeliever. I do want to make a different in some unbeliver life, so I want to be the salt of the earth and whether the people believe me are not I always want my light to shine for Jesus and for people to know that I am a child of the King and I want to be what I am called to be,
We cannot be silent and watch non believers stumble and fall. Let them see the light, invite them in.
I often wonder why we struggle with embodying all that we are and what we encompass and then I am reminded of phrases in the bible such as BE MEEK, BOAST NOT and other scriptures that cause us to diminish our gifts and talents and suppress all that we are. I am a firm believer that it was a tactic so that we can sling magic, make all others shine and keep silent on our works. What do you say Dr. Haire?
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