November 17, 2022 | Silver Spring, Maryland, United States | Ted N.C. Wilson, President, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Hello, friends. We are continuing our journey through that wonderful book Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, and today we will consider two very interesting metaphors Christ used to describe His followers—salt and light.
“You are the salt of the earth,” He said, “but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. . .” (Matt. 5:13).
As Jesus was speaking, the people could see the white salt glistening in the pathways where it had been thrown out because it had lost its savor—a very clear illustration of what the Master Teacher was saying.
Not only does salt bring flavoring; it also serves as a preservative. When Jesus calls us to be like salt, He is inviting us to become agents in saving others. “Christians who are purified through the truth,” writes Ellen White, “will possess saving qualities that preserve the world from utter moral corruption” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 36).
But in order to be effective, we must mingle with others, through caring, personal contact. When others see the love of Jesus in our hearts and His righteousness pervading our lives, their hearts will be warmed by our unselfish interest and love for them. This does not come through our own power; it is the power of the Holy Spirit that brings about transformation in our own lives and in their lives of those we touch.
Personal consecration to the Lord is vital. We read, “Without a living faith in Christ as a personal Saviour it is impossible to make our influence felt in a skeptical world. We cannot give to others that which we do not ourselves possess. It is in proportion to our own devotion and consecration to Christ that we exert an influence for the blessing and uplifting of mankind” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 36).
Jesus also compared His followers to light. “You are the light of the world,” He said. “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” He then instructed, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:13-16).
Of course, we have no light of ourselves—but when the “light of the world” comes into our lives we have His promise that “He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).
And as He gives us His light, He asks that we share the light of His truth with everyone, everywhere. We are told that Jesus “teaches us to look upon every needy soul as our neighbor and the world as our field.” The author goes on to give this pointed counsel, “If the church of Christ were fulfilling the purpose of our Lord, light would be shed upon all that sit in darkness . . . Instead of congregating together and shunning responsibility and cross bearing, the members of the church would scatter into all lands, letting the light of Christ shine out from them, working as He did for the salvation of souls, and this ‘gospel of the kingdom’ would speedily be carried to all the world” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pp. 42, 43).
Friend, are you willing to say, “I Will Go” and let God’s light shine through me to my family, my friends, neighbors, co-workers, and to all with whom you come in contact? Are you willing to go, should He call you, to a foreign land or some place to which you are not accustomed? Are you willing to let the light of God’s love and truth shine through you wherever He may send you?
If so, I invite you to say to the Lord: “Yes, Lord, fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Help me to be like salt, preserving others for your kingdom. Fill me with the light that you have promised and help me to shine for You wherever you may send. Yes, Lord, I am willing to go. Here I am, send me.”
Let’s pray together just now. father in heaven. Thank you that you help us to be like salt, bringing wonderful flavor of truth into the lives of people. Thank you for helping us to be like light. Shedding light upon the pages of eternal truth in God’s Word. Now, Lord, help us to be practical in all that we do. Helping people to see that you are our magnificent God who loves us dearly and has a purpose for each of our lives. So Lord use us. Take us as we consecrate ourselves to you. May we be powerful witnesses and lights for you in this world of darkness. But we know that Jesus is coming soon, when everything will be light throughout eternity. In Christ name, we ask it. Amen.