From Matthew 5:13-16 / Salt and Light – We must connect these verses with those which come directly before. In that context, in order to be salt and light – one must uncompromisingly live as those who know their blessedness does not come from this world – but rests in their being citizens of Christ’s Kingdom. Note that salt loses its “saltiness” in only one way – mixture with other things. Salt crystals never lose their essential property. But when salt becomes mixed with other substances, the salt no longer can do its work. The question is, what are we mixing with our devotion to Christ? Politics? Pleasure? Success? When we value what the world values; when we fear what the world fears; when we reason the way the world reasons – we lose our saltiness. We no longer cleanse and preserve. Note secondly that God is light and life. All things left to themselves are decay and darkness. As His, Christians bring His light and life-giving presence into this world. We are this way because He is this way. He alone stands contrary to sin’s entropy. He alone brings light. Apart from Him – all is darkness and deconstructing chaos. We cannot bring light into the world apart from exposing Christ for who and what He is, His work and His purposes. We must be ever about the business of making Him known in the proclamation of His person and work, and in living by the power of the Holy Spirit so that His life is manifested through us. What a high and precious calling He has granted those who are His by faith. Heavenly Father, fill us afresh today that we might know Jesus, and make Him known. Amy we, in all we say, think and do, preach Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.