By Brian R. Kenyon
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus compared the character His disciples are to have by exhorting, “You are the salt of the earth …. You are the light of the world …. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt. 5:13-16). From these verses, it is evident that Christians are not to be “undercover.” Rather, they are to let their lives be primary indicator they are followers of Jesus.
While literal salt upon the soil is no good for productivity (cf. Judg. 9:45; Ps. 107:34), the reference here is figurative for Christian influence in this world. Salt serves as a preserving and flavoring influence (Mt. 5:13). In Bible times people would use salt to preserve meat. Salt will kill some forms of bacteria. The world without godly influence will rot and decay to the point of no return. It is interesting that Lot’s wife was turned to a pillar of salt for looking back at Sodom (Gen. 19:26 cf. Lk. 17:32), a land of people who rejected godly influence (Gen. 18:20; 19:4-14; 2 Pet. 2:6-9; Jude 7). Even our words must be under the control of Christ to have His desired influence. Paul wrote, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Col. 4:6).
When Christians lose their preserving influence, they are of no use to God. Jesus said that “if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men” (Mt. 5:13). “Loses its flavor [savor, KJV; taste, ESV]” is translated from a word (moraino, μωραίνω) that literally means “become foolish”). This shows that a member of the kingdom can loose his or her influence. A “Christian” without genuine character is useless to “the earth” and to the promotion of the kingdom (cf. Lk. 14:34-35), but with this quality, Christians make life more liveable (cf. Mk. 9:50).
“Light” serves as a guide to those who cannot find or see their way through darkness. Like a “city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden,” so Christian influence cannot help but to be noticed (Mt. 5:14). Because the purpose of light is to be seen so it can guide, Christians must not attempt to hide their influence (Mt. 5:15). Paul instructed, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:14-15). Jesus concluded this section of the Sermon on the Mount by exhorting, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt. 5:16). Practicing this genuine Christian character is not to draw attention to self but to glorify God!
Being the influence God desires applies both individually and collectively. Individual Christians and local churches must all be the “salt” and “light” that will influence and change the world for good. Otherwise, to what ultimate purpose do they exist? May it be said of us like the Thessalonians, “For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth … in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything” (1 Thes. 1:8)!
My Dear brother Brian and sister Jagie and the students and staff of FSOP,
Several years ago, when I met Brian & Jagie at lectureship, I was impressed by your friendliness and work ethic. But when I visited FSOP lectures in January [2024] and observed your tireless labors with your students and congregation — I finally saw the whole picture of how you serve our Lord. Surely the Lord rejoices at your devotion to Him!
I actually got the idea for your song “We the church” when I was in Washington, DC gazing at the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. As I thought about the courage of those men — committing treason for what they believed in, my eyes filled with tears thinking — “Lord, please send us men of courage — who will give their lives to serve the church — like these men of courage served the nation.”
As I visited with the students in the FSOP program in January, I was delighted to hear of their fervent desire to spend their lives in the service of our risen Lord! All of them could be making more money and have more comforts out in the business world, but they — with great courage — choose to serve the Cause of Christ and for this I rejoice!
Please scan the QR code to hear the You Tube recording: Pure Joyful Music by Kathleen Russell Ferrell “We the church.” It should be streaming soon as Pure Joyful Music Singers volume 4 on Spotify/Apple music etc. Free PDF’s and free downloads of PowerPoints are available at www.purejoyful-music.com.
Unlike most of our songs that are brought in from denominations — my songs emphasize baptism, the great love of God and the One true church. My husband insists that the “scratchings” — early drafts of a song — are interesting to others, so I enclose an early scratching of your song “We the church” for your amusement and disposal.
Perhaps we will meet again in this life, but for sure in the next. Until then, I send you sisterly love and encouragement to press on serving our Lord until it is your time to cross over the veil and be with Him in the fulfillment.
Your loving sister,
Kathleen Ferrell
