salt and light

What happens when the people who are supposed to point others toward God begin looking more and more like everyone around them?

That was part of Israel’s problem.

God had given them an extraordinary calling.

They were to belong to Him in a distinctive way and point the surrounding nations toward the one true God.

But instead of influencing the nations around them, they began imitating them.

And eventually, the distinction almost disappeared.

That raises an uncomfortable question for us.

Jesus called His followers the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

But what does that actually require of us?

Is it enough to live decent lives and hope someone notices?

Is it enough to invite people to church?

Is it enough to avoid the worst parts of the culture around us?

Or does being salt and light involve something much more purposeful?

And what happens if, instead of influencing the darkness, we gradually become accustomed to it?

Today we’ll look at Israel’s failure, Jesus’ words to His followers, and some practical ways we can live more intentionally as people who have been called to point others to Christ.