Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. ^{Matthew 5:13-16}

We are the salt and light to reach the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ. These metaphors depict the impact and influence of Christians on an increasingly ignorant and immoral world.

As salt, the effect of the Christian character is as a preservative to slow societal decay. This silent testimony, evident by how we live, is a bulwark against the corruption and evil thriving in our increasingly godless society. We are an agency for the delay of God’s inevitable judgment. ^{Read Genesis 18:23-33} Watch what happens when the church is removed from the world.

As light, we are the visible communication of the content of the gospel. We are to be an overt and blatant influence by boldly presenting the light of hope and salvation in the word of God. But we must be salt first, living a life that demonstrates Christian character, before we can be light. Otherwise, our story is not believable. Light is good only when seen. If the gospel is kept to yourself or shared only among the saved, then the lost will stay lost. Jesus tells us to teach all nations, ^{Read Matthew 28:19-20} so let your light shine to the world, be an effective witness and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew warns us that failure to be salt and light is possible, if not probable. If sin controls our lives because we do not live in the spirit, then we will not be salt or light. Submit to God, resist Satan, live a holy life, and you will be the salt and light of the earth.