Today’s Reading: Matthew 5:13-20
Random thoughts on salt, light, and a new heaven & earth…
You are the salt of the earth (vs. 13). You add flavor to an otherwise drab world. Why? Everyone else around you believes and shares what man has spoken. You believe and share what God has spoken. Sprinkled onto the “food” being digested by millions, your life adds flavor, becoming a food that satisfies rather than one that is tasteless and lacking nourishment. You are an aroma, the smell of life for some, and a smell of death to others (2 Corinthians 2:14-17).
Salt is also used for preservation. It is important for Christians to help preserve our culture, history, and heritage, and most importantly our religious freedoms. If we continue to compromise and allow concessions to be made, what we have will be spoiled and lost.
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You are the light of the world (vs. 14). Why? 1 John 1:5 tells us that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. As a believer in Christ, 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are light because He is light, and lives within us. Our light comes from Him, and is the only light that is able to pierce the darkness of this world.
What are some other characteristics of light?
- Light shines brightest in the darkest places
- Light can provide warmth
- Light contains all colors
- Light scatters roaches (among other things)
- Light is eternal, it continues (has no end)
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The law will not pass away until it has been completely fulfilled (vs. 18). This goes hand-in-hand with Revelation 21:1, that tells us about a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth passed away. So then the law, too, will one day pass away. We don’t have to go far to know what that will be like though, because Galatians 3:23-26 tells us that if we are sons and daughters through faith in Christ, we are no longer under the law. If you think it also means we get off easy, think again! Verse 20 in today’s chapter finds Jesus telling us that unless our righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven! Romans 3:22 assures us, however, that the righteousness we need comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. It is here that we can begin to see the incredible depths He has gone through to restore us to a right relationship with the Father. I hope this gives you a glimpse of God’s immense love towards us all.
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Today’s Reading: Matthew 5:13-20, NLT
‘“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!’ Matthew 5:13-20 https://www.bible.com/bible/116/MAT.5.13-20
Alabastersky 