Followers of Christ

When followers of Christ share God’s grace and allow the works of the Holy Spirit to become visible to others, this can both preserve others from corruption and lead them to Christ. The Kingdom of God benefits, when the godly lifestyles of those that follow Christ, causes others to realize there is something missing in their lives and they can see part of what is missing in their lives in the lives of believers. Followers of Christ should draw others to Christ.

Intended meaning of the Passage

The verses in this passage (Matthew 5: 13-16), are an excerpt from “the sermon on the mount”, which is the longest sermon that Jesus preached; or for that matter, the longest sermon that anyone has ever preached. In the gospel according to St. Matthew, it lasts from chapter 5 through chapter 7. In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus has moved from the blessings associated with the Kingdom of God, to the responsibilities associated with the Kingdom of God.

The theme is, although believers are spiritually separate from this world, the lifestyle of the believer should be beneficial to the world. Jesus makes this point by using two symbols to describe believers as kingdom people; salt and light. We know that salt not only preserves and protects against spoilage, it also adds flavor; it makes food taste better. Believers’ presence in the world should make the world better. Others may not think we have flavor but often people who are not part of the body of Christ say we have favor. That’s where the term “favor ain’t fair”, comes from.

Jesus quickly moves from the metaphor of salt to the metaphor of light. God has called believers out of darkness into His light. Believers have God’s light in them, not to hide, but to share. Jesus is saying be proud of who I...

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...hose who have yet to hear. Finally, God may call some of you to go to those who have never heard. With Isaiah (6:8) respond, “Here I am. Send me!”

In conclusion, believers are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, an honor and responsibility given to us a part of the family of God. Still we must not fall victim to pride and forget that the glory is intended for God and not ourselves. Our responsibilities go beyond being the salt and the light, we must also be messengers, so the world can know the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us remember who God has called us to be.

Works Cited

ENDNOTES

Alexander, Neil. "The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2008" 2008 ed. Nashville, United Metodidt Publishing House. 87.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2008. Nashville: Abingdon Pr, 2009. 87. Print.