“You are the
salt of the earth… You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
(Mat.5:13a, 14 NAS)
I really don’t like the word influence – it conjures up
images of pushy salesmen, spin tactics, and certain family members who think
they know better how I should live my life than I do. But Jesus makes it plain in these verses from
Matthew that we, as His disciples, are to be people of influence. So, should we read up on the latest sales
techniques and study how best to spin the Kingdom message? I don’t think that that is what Jesus had in
mind. As a matter of fact, I don’t think
He was concerned with technique and presentation at all. Consider for a minute what He is telling His
followers in these verses, “You are salt, and you are light” – not “try to be
salt”, or “study up on how to be light”.
I will influence those around me by simply being who and what I am as a
follower of Jesus, and that is the point that I think He is making. Jesus was saying be with Me, listen to Me,
love like Me, be filled with My Spirit – become like Me and you will be an influence to people around
you. So be salty, be tangy and add
flavor where you live and where you work.
So shine, bring light and truth – your very presence as a Christ-like
(Christian) person will influence your home, your workplace, your neighborhood,
and your school. Simply be who you are in
Christ. Be a person of influence.
