Sermon on the Mount. The Similitudes.

Matthew 5:13-16

Salt and Light.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.  You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”  ~Matthew 5:13-16

Utility.

 

Salt and light are good for something.  They have a purpose and value.  Life would look very strange without these two things.  Claiming devotion to God is not something that stops in the quiet of our heart. It becomes a declaration to the world.  What is our purpose as a believer in today’s world?  How are we doing with that purpose?

“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.  For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”  ~1 Peter 2:13-15

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?  Can that faith save him?  If a brother or a sister is poorly clothed and lacking daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”  ~James 2:14-17

“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.  Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this, to visit widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”  ~James 1:26-27

Good Works.

Grace and salvation is not cheap.  The result of a changed life in Christ will result in something.  Desire to glorify God.  The only way we can express our gratitude for what God has done is to devote ourselves to knowing him better, AND doing good to those around us.  These good works MUST point to the Father in heaven.  Good works are not relegated to mission trips or feeding the homeless once a week.  We are called to bless and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ, and called to love our enemies as our selves. How do we treat ourselves?  How do we treat others?