You are the salt of the earth, You are the light of the world

 “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.” Matthew 5:13-16 NLT

            Penn State University located in the heart of central Pennsylvania has students and alumni from all across the United States and around the world. What unites these individuals from where they were born to where they are now living is their ties to Penn State. All have shared the experience of attending the university or one of its many off site campuses. That experience has shaped itself into a community of commonality. There is a distinct connection between each of them and who they are in reference to Penn State University. They are Penn State. On a crisp autumn afternoon you can hear the chant of “We Are Penn State” during a Nittany Lions football game in Beaver Stadium and all across the country wherever Penn State fans gather to watch their team.

            As current students and alumni of Penn State have a connection to each other, Christians also have a connection to each other through Jesus Christ. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Savoir are brothers and sisters in Christ, possess the Holy Spirit, and have the same Heavenly Father. Jesus in teaching His disciples states another common trait in all Christians, in fact He states it as a matter of fact. Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth” and later said “You are the light of the world.” Jesus makes a rather distinctive point, “You are.” No misinterpreting, it is a fact. We are, as Christians together and individually, the salt of the earth and the light of the world. 

            We may at times not present ourselves as if we are “salt and light”, but that is exactly who we are. And with this matter of fact we have a great responsibility to live accordingly. Christians are to be salt, or a preservative, in the world. Society today is decaying and rotting away at its very core. It is essential that Christians be involved in all sectors of our world providing a much needed moral and righteous preservative through Jesus Christ. We are also to let our light shine before those around us. Our world has many clouded and dark areas in need of light. Christians are to reflect the light of Christ in our everyday activities.

            We need to be careful not to let our salt become ineffective by adding impurities of the world into the mix, and we need to not allow the clouds of discouragement, compromise, and fear of persecution to cover our light when and where it is needed most. You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.