Matthew 5:13–16

Family Bible Study
Director, Christian Women’s Leadership Center, Samford University

Making a Difference in the World
Matthew 5:13–16; 1 Corinthians 1:26–31; 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1
If a survey were taken, would people say that they “need” Christians like you in their life? Why or why not?

Be Salt and Light in the World (Matt. 5:13–16)
Jesus told His followers they are to have an impact on the world as agents bringing about positive change. Jesus’ use of the examples of salt and light has many practical implications. Salt is important to our survival. It is a preserver, a purifier, a flavor and a healer. Sometimes it irritates as it heals. We need salt.

We also need light. It provides warmth and reveals what darkness hides. It shows the way. Salt and light are examples of God’s love. They describe what happens when Christ is in us and in the world.
There is healing but sometimes the healing is not pain-free.

Be Different (2 Cor. 6:14–7:1)
In Romans 12:1–2, Paul admonished believers to be “transformers,” not “conformers.” In 1 Corinthians 5:9–13, he pointed out that our “salt” and “light” are needed inside “church culture” as much as in society.

Often it is our “religious culture” that needs transforming as much as any other part of culture.
So-called “Christian culture” has its own system of stars, celebrities, “in” trends, financial wealth and powerful leaders. These are not necessarily bad; neither are they necessarily good by using the term “Christian.” Have you ever seen a sour-faced, mean-looking person wearing a “Christian” T-shirt?
How about the reckless road rage of someone driving a car with a “Christian” bumper sticker?

Alabama is sometimes called “the buckle of the Bible Belt,” and as such, there can be pressure to conform to “church culture” or else risk social alienation. Sadly some people fear their career will suffer if they do not join “the right church” or send their children to the “in” activities. Some do not feel welcome at some churches because of expensive “dress codes” and questions about what kind of car they drive. Individuals and churches alike must be careful not to succumb to the desire for popularity over integrity. One of the great temptations in our church culture is to confuse God’s blessings with “popularity.”

Popularity with the “church crowd” might involve more “conforming” to other people’s expectations than personal and cultural transformation. Even when we are held in high esteem by other Christians, we should be sure  our sense of worth comes from our Creator.

Repeatedly in the Bible, God uses “ordinary” prophets and preachers to speak extraordinary truth more often to religious people who had lost their way than to the nonreligious. We need courageous voices of truth today — whether in pulpits, Sunday School classrooms, boardrooms, memos or e-mails. This means being willing to critique — with honesty and love — our religious leaders, our political leaders, our cultural leaders and ourselves. We are “the culture.”

We affect our culture every day. We either have a positive influence on it, or we have a negative influence. As Christians, we must be aware of — and take responsibility for — the ways in which our words, actions and transactions affect other people. Ignoring the effects our interactions have on others is a negative influence. We should be open to the sacred opportunities God gives us every “regular” day to be a positive influence on the world.

What is your world? What do you consider your spheres of influence? Family? Neighborhood?
Church? Business? Civic organizations? Professional or hobby groups? We can be a positive influence in these areas first before we join other groups or take on new projects simply to “have influence.”

Think about the people and events that have most significantly influenced your own life. What did you learn from them?

Let God Use You (1 Cor. 1:26–31)
Paul reminded Christians in Corinth that God is in the business of using ordinary people to accomplish supernatural things. God will do the same through us, if we pay attention to opportunities throughout the day and allow God’s Spirit to work like salt and light.