Page 17 - September 2023 - Truth & Tidings

lar of salt. This was the manifestation this is one of the reasons why we were not
of the permanence of God’s judgement, taken home to glory immediately upon our
salt showing forth and being linked to conversion. In this world, we represent the
something permanent. This is also seen interests of our Lord. We have no mandate
in the covenant of salt (2Ch 13:5). Such to become engaged with the world around
a covenant was made by grains of salt us. The Lord has not asked us to entangle
being transferred between two parties. ourselves in social, environmental, political
Once accepted, these were mingled in or religious causes, but we are expected to
the parties’ respective bags of salt. These have a preserving influence in the sphere in
particles couldn’t be retrieved, show- which the Lord has placed us. We provide
ing that a covenant, once made, could light where we live; the Lord indicated this
never be broken. This again emphasizes by His reference to a city on a hill and also by
permanence. The aspect of permanence His reference to the house – “it giveth light
may not be the primary focus in Mat- unto all that are in the house” (Mat 5:15).
thew’s context; however, the Lord does God expects that our homes will be used
speak of salt losing its savour and thus in a way that will show forth the praises of
its effectiveness. He expects us to remain Him who hath called us out of darkness.
unchanging in our character, standing Many of our neighbours will never come to
against the evils of the world system a gospel meeting; God has placed us in our
that is always evolving and mutating. present location so that we will reveal and
The first time we have light men- manifest Him to them.
tioned in Scripture is in Genesis 1:3: The Dangers in the Metaphors
“And God said, Let there be light.” There are two dangers noted: it is possible
1
Light is something which is linked to for salt to lose its savour and for light to be
God Himself, who is the source of light. placed under a bushel or basket, meaning
This is taken up by Paul, who reminds it will not be seen. We know that salt is a
us, “For God, who commanded the light stable compound. In what way, then, could
to shine out of darkness, hath shined it lose its savour or effectiveness? It has been
in our hearts, to give the light of the noted that when salt was mined from areas
knowledge of the glory of God in the like the Dead Sea, there would have been a
face of Jesus Christ” (2Co 4:6). We are lot of impurities and it would be mixed with
those who have been enlightened, and other substances; this would mean it was
as such we are expected to show forth less effective. We need to heed the Lord’s
that light to others. warning. If we engage in things that are not
The Duties in the Metaphors wholesome, they will bring mixture into our
We should have an influence for good lives; the effectiveness of our testimony and
on those with whom we come into our preserving influence will be lost. The
contact. The areas in which both the same principle is seen in bearing light. It is
salt and light are expected to operate possible to hide our light; it can be difficult
are clear; the Lord imposed no geo- to speak publicly to those with whom we
graphical restrictions. We are the salt live and work. God help us to rely on Him
of the earth and the light of the world; for strength so that we will be enabled to
¹ Bible quotations in this article are from the exhibit His character and show forth His
KJV. light among men.

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