Salt and Light

So the question has been posed, "What is the best way to be salt and light in this world?" See here for an already on-going discussion on the issue. Amy has put a thoughtful and thought-provoking post up.

How do we live in the world and not lose our saltiness and yet still be effective in reaching lost souls and pointing them back to Christ?

Some people would like to discuss how salty or how bright we should be. Some want to discuss how to be salty and bright. Some want to talk down about others for not being salty or bright enough. Some people have an opinion that Christians should be so set apart that even the music, clothing, and other outward expressions would be a differentiating factor.

Here's my opinion!

I think there is a distinct lack of training from within the church on how to be salty and bright in this dim and dull world. People are hungry, thirsty and blind. As a corporate church body, we can do more to be salt and light in this world than one person can be at their mission field of everyday life.

I believe we should display a salt and light in the world by living up to the standard that Christ has called us. I believe that making an impact on a personal level is best determined by the individual person and what fits with their personality, knowledge and level of relationship with Christ. I grow each day and each year. I am a better witness now than I was four years ago. I am a better witness now than I was last month. I do not expect others to be able to be salt and light the way I can. We all have our own gifts and our own understanding.

Moving On...

But I think a key to reaching out and revolutionizing our culture is by revolutionizing the very community that the church serves. I think it is as important to give to missionaries all over the world as it is for a local church to create a mission mentality in their own community. Minister to those who are down and out who do not walk in the door and attend church by giving to the needy. Take care of the orphans. There are many orphans in this world simply because they are unwanted. They may live with parents, but their lives are thrown away before they reach puberty. (Here is my own encounter with that.)

Let's start to go to the poorer neighborhoods of our community and begin to give them what they need, whether it is a grass mowing, clothing, food or prayer. Be salt and light by being so revolutionarily different that people react and HUNGER for what you are giving to them.

Start pouring yourself out as an offering to the dregs of society. Get hungry and passionate about doing whatever it takes to point people back to Christ. Don't become a "Bible Thumper". Become a display of Christ in loving your community and having compassion on lost souls that drives you out of your house, out of your neighborhood, over the railroad tracks to the heart of the broken.

In my mind, the corporate body of Christ is the key in really making a change in this world. Work together and something will happen that each person could not create individually. It is synergy in Christ by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

When you go to reach the very people God is hurting for, see if his power doesn't come right along side of you to make the impact you long for. Always in the Bible, Jesus was moved by compassion. He taught the gospel. Then the miracles happened.