OLIVE TREE ALLIANCE

In every era, Christians are granted the opportunity to positively influence culture. In a simple and succinct statement that transcends time, the Lord reminds that the priority for people of faith remains unchanged.

Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”

The way forward requires that people of faith function as “salt and light”. Every generation is responsible to be unshakable in the face of cultural pressure to conform to ungodliness. We have the responsibility to unreservedly live as a testimony to the One-true God—regardless of opposition.

Jesus clearly addressed the alternative, “if the salt [Christian community] loses its flavor, how shall it [the earth] be seasoned?” (v. 13). This is an alarming prospect. Individuals who profess Christ—those who by decisive act of the will have placed their faith in the atoning sacrifice of the Son of God—by nature are required to be “salt and light” in the world. 

When salt gets mixed with debris, it becomes unsavory and can no longer be used as a preservative. When Christians neglect the Bible, they become contaminated with worldly influence. They lack godly discernment that not only skews personal decisions, but adversely affects culture.

Cultures that turn away from God and the life-principles outlined in His Word do not survive. It’s time for Christians to stop waiting for “someone” to do something about what’s wrong with the world and start positively influencing culture.

Paul told the church at Colossae, “whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Col. 3:23). That statement is at the heart of living our faith.

Resolve to live as a bold testimony to the power of the One-true God and His redeeming grace. You’ve been given the opportunity to make your life count for eternity. Be salt.
 

IMAGES:
1) The Bible Is the Foundation for Life. (Image used for illustrative purposes) (Photo credit: Pixabay/Enhancement, MKM Portfolios)
2) Christians are required to be “salt and light” in the world. (Image used for illustrative purposes) (Photo credit: Garitzko/[Public domain]/Wikimedia/Enhancement, MKM Portfolios)

Copyright © 2016 Charles E. McCracken, devotional comments only.  Repost/Reprint with permission from the author. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.