Salt & Light

This past Sunday we looked at Jesus' teaching that we are the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" from Matthew 5. It's a familiar passage to most people in the church. We've probably all heard messages on how we should be salt and light. We've sung "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine."

As we studied the passage we were reminded, though, that Jesus addresses a plural you--not a singular. In essence He's saying, "You all, collectively, are the salt and light." It's a group project, not the sole responsibility of individuals. We do it together ("We're in it together" as our denomination's president, Gary Walter, likes to say).

So while I have a role in being salt and light (adding flavor to my neighborhood, illuminating the colors God created), I also have a role in helping others be salt and light. For while it's not our own personal responsibility to be the salt and light, we also must be a part of being salt and light--not just sitting back and letting others take care of it.

So the question before us is, how do we as a church (not a denomination or building, but Christians around the world) be salt and light collectively (y'all)? How do we bring God glory and point others to Him by flavoring and illuminating? We each have our individual giftings, but we must remember that those are to be used as "a body." It's a discussion we need to have.