Light is a marvelous thing. It draws our attention. It highlights things that need to be seen. It is faster than a speeding bullet, in fact it travels at the speed of 186,282 miles per second (in a vacuum). Our society would have a horrible time trying to live normal lives without the aid of light. There would be no driving in the dark, no movies at the theaters, and most of us would have to go to bed when the sun goes down, but wait, without light, there would be no sun to provide light, or a moon to reflect the suns light. Christmas decorations would be an absolute bore. Most of us have probably seen those wonderful, colorful Christmas displays on homes during the holidays. Some even had light choreographed to music, not unlike the one pictured above. But without light, none of this would exist. In fact, we would not exist, because unless you can live without eating, nothing would be available to eat. Have you ever been in the deep recesses of a cave and have the guide turn out the light? The darkness is oppressive. So why all the hullaballoo about the value of light? Well, we do have a point to make, but first let us consider the value of salt. Have you ever used it? Most recipes call for the use of salt, because it adds flavor to nearly everything to which it is applied. “Salt, also known as sodium chloride, is about 40% sodium and 60% chloride It flavors food and is used as a binder and stabilizer. It is also a food preservative as bacteria can’t thrive in the presence of a high amount of salt. The human body requires a small amount of sodium to conduct nerve impulses, contract and relax muscles, and maintain the proper balance of water and minerals.” (hsph.harvard.edu; T.H. Chan.) The human body cannot thrive without the presence of salt. Light and salt are vital for the continuation of the human race. But our task in our blog today is not to interfere with your “Biology 101” course of study. We have a completely different take on what “light” and “salt” mean to us in a different context.
For those who are Christians, or even those familiar with this faith, you are undoubtedly familiar with how the Biblical New Testament uses the words “light” and “salt”. Let’s do a quick review for those who may not be familiar. In the book of Matthew, chapter 5, we find probably one of the most important series of statements made by Jesus. It is known as the “Sermon on the Mount”. It begins with the very famous list of “beatitudes”, best describes as characteristics to pursue in life. Listed are attitudes to aspire to, or as one person once said, they are “Be” “Attitudes”. Immediately following the list of attitudes to have, Jesus has the following to say in verses 13 through 16. “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (NAS version.)
Now to the point of today’s blog. We really do mean to step on some toes today, and we will not apologize if it hurts or is uncomfortable for you. Sometimes we all need a two-by-four whacked up the side or our head to get our attention. We hope we have it. Many Christians are satisfied to live life in a religious bubble, mostly encountered on Sundays or maybe even a day or two during the week. Many are living a “BEDROOM CHRISTIANITY”, where we dare not speak what is on our hearts outside these four walls. During those times when you are with the “like-minded” you dis-associate yourselves from the world around you, and become pious, speaking only issues about your faith. In this cocoon of isolation, we all recognize our sinfulness, our need for constant healing, our need to improve ourselves, and the desire to share the Gospel message with those we may come in contact with during our “normal” daily lives. There is nothing wrong with these endeavors, we just happen to believe it is not enough. “What more might we do?”, you might ask. For decades the churches in our Nation, particularly those of conservative values, have been sold a bill of goods telling us that we had better not talk politics, because if we do, we could lose our tax-exempt status, or we might upset some visitors that walk in our doors, or we might be accused of preaching a “political gospel”, not a lot unlike “The Health and Wealth Gospel” we blogged about just last month. If you are a Christian, do you not understand your reason for living in this Nation at this time? Do you not recognize that YOU are the salt and light? YOU flavor the lives around you. YOU shed light upon the dark places, and YOUR light draws others to you and to God. Rick Warren wrote a book published in 2002 titled, The Purpose Driven Life. Have you not considered that God, the Creator of all, has placed you in this time and place for His Glory? What is your purpose? While we watch Satan encroach upon our children through phone apps, media, advertisements, wayward council members, representatives wooed by the promise of money and power, you silently sit in your pews, minding your “Ps” and “Qs”, considering that God is in charge, and all you may have to do is sit back and watch Him wreak havoc upon the ungodly. Have you not read the Old Testament Book of Esther, and do you not remember the story where Queen Esther has the power in her hand to spare the people of her nation from slaughter, when Mordecai said these words, “And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” Do you not recognize that YOU are the change-agent God has placed in this Nation at this time? You can pray until you are blue in the face, but until you are ready to put your feet to your prayers, you are not fulfilling your purpose, and you must recognize that you will not only be held accountable for the actions you have taken, but you will also be held accountable for actions you have failed to take.
Look around you. Rome is on fire! If you enjoy our FREEDOM and LIBERTY in this Nation, it is time to pick up your firehose and do something about it! As we honor those this weekend who have sacrificed their lives for our Nation, may we be found worthy in their eyes to follow their example, to find our purpose, to fulfill our destiny, to fight back against tyranny, faithlessness, corruption, greed, and the father of all lies, Satan himself. It is way past time to get out of our “Bedroom Christianity”, and get in the fight for truth, honest, integrity, accountability, righteousness, and justice.