The Good, The Bad And The Worthless

Today I was reminded of the next scripture of my Matthew 5 study. The next passage is speaking about an issue that I am personally guilty of to the extent of being spiritually grieved. The subject of part three of the Matthew study goes with the subject; The Good, The Bad, and The Worthless. Picking up where we last left off:

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5: 13-16)

These two paragraphs fundamentally sum up the entire concept of the Christian purpose and meaning to life. Both paragraphs essentially have the same meaning however they do give a different vibe. Let’s first consider the “salt” metaphor.

The “salt” metaphor is used three times in the gospels; here, and in Mark 9:49-50, and Luke 14: 34-35.

“For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” (Mark 9:49-50)

“Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Luke 14: 34-35)

By over lapping the verses you might get a full picture by reading it like this.

Salt is good, and you are the salt of the earth. But if the salt has lost its taste or saltiness, if you have lost that which makes you good and unique, of what use are you to the kingdom of God? Take heed to this warning, for tasteless salt has no use but to be thrown out.

Although I am not a fan of The Message bible, I must admit I like how our salt metaphor is worded.

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.” (The Message – Matthew 5:13)

Or, “Salt is excellent. But if the salt goes flat, it’s useless, good for nothing. Are you listening to this? Really listening?” (The Message – Luke: 14: 34)

I can’t help but be reminded of one of the seven churches in the beginning of Revelation:

“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16)

According to Christ, the cold and the hot are better off than the lukewarm. I feel like the lukewarm Christian is relatable to the “tasteless” Christian: “useless, good for nothing” or “no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.”

Back to the topic… The purpose of the Post Salvation Christian life is to be a beacon pointing to God and Christ Jesus. If our lives do not reflect God’s glory and merciful love then we aren’t doing our jobs. I’m not arguing about salvation, or the law versus lawlessness. This isn’t about “if you aren’t an evangelist you’re going to hell.” The question, or rather concept, that I had while meditating on this subject is again, the good, the bad, and the worthless. I worry for myself that I’m overly worthless at times by doing nothing more than writing a blog without viewers. I worry for myself that if people look at me, I wonder if they could see the glory of God in my actions or my speech. Honestly, most likely not. This makes this a subject to be explored. On to the next metaphor; the light of the world.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5: 13-16)

This passage is paralleled with Mark 4:21 and Luke 8:16, 11:33.

“And he said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.’ And he said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”’ (Mark 4:21-25)

And, “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” (Luke 8: 16-18)

Perhaps it could be said like: You are the light of the world. You are to shine the light of God throughout your world, not hide it; for no one hides their lamp, but rather they set it on a stand for all to see. Take care that you hear this message, for if you have light to shine more will be added to you, however if you do not shine, what light you may have will be taken away.

Here’s another way to put it: “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand – shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (The Message - Matthew 5: 14-16)

In the last paper Moses was mentioned as a man who saw God. The result of seeing God was that Moses’ face shined with the glory of God.

“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. Whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him.” (Exodus 34: 29-35)

Moses literally shone with the glory of God.

The point is that as a Christian it’s our duty and responsibility to be road signs to Heaven. We are to be all that is good in a bad world. In the darkness of life we are to shine for the lost and broken. Essentially we are to be role models and examples.

I think perhaps that in our world there are good people, bad people, and worthless people. I’m not sure about eternal consequences; I don’t believe it’s my place to declare such things. But with this passage in mind, I want to be salty. I want to be a light shining.

Amen.

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