“What does it mean to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16)?”……Answer: Jesus used the concepts of salt and light a number of different times to refer to the role of His followers in the world. One example is found in

Matthew 5:13

13 "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

Salt had two purposes in the Middle East of the first century. Because of the lack of refrigeration, salt was used to preserve food, especially meat which would quickly spoil in the desert environment. Believers in Christ are preservatives to the world, preserving it from the evil inherent in the society of ungodly men whose unredeemed natures are corrupted by sin

Psalm 14:3

3 But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt.(Greek version reads have become useless.Compare Rom 3:12.)No one does good, not a single one!

Romans 8:8

8 That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.…Second, salt was used then, as now, as a flavor enhancer. In the same way that salt enhances the flavor of the food it seasons, the followers of Christ stand out as those who "enhance" the flavor of life in this world. Christians, living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in obedience to Christ, will inevitably influence the world for good, as salt has a positive influence on the flavor of the food it seasons. Where there is strife, we are to be peacemakers; where there is sorrow, we are to be the ministers of Christ, binding up wounds, and where there is hatred, we are to exemplify the love of God in Christ, returning good for evil

Luke 6:35…35 "Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.

In the analogy of light to the world, the good works of Christ's followers are to shine for all to see. The following verses in Matthew 5 highlight this truth:

Matthew 5:14-16

14 "You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

The idea here is similar-the presence of light in darkness is something which is unmistakable. The presence of Christians in the world must be like a light in the darkness, not only in the sense that the truth of God's Word brings light to the darkened hearts of sinful man John 1:1-10 (Jesus the giver of light) so that in the sense that our good deeds must be evident for all to see. And indeed, our deeds will be evident if they are performed in accordance with the other principles which Jesus mentions in this passage, such as the Beatitudes inMatthew 5:3-11…3 "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,(Greek poor in spirit.) for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.…4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.…5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.…6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,(Or for righteousness)… for they will be satisfied.…7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.…8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.…9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.…10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.…11 "God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you(Some manuscripts do not include and lie about you.) and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.

Notice especially that the concern is not that Christians would stand out for their own sake, but that those who looked on might "glorify your Father who is in heaven" …Matthew 5:16…16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

In view of these verses, what sorts of things can hinder or prevent the Christian from fulfilling his or her role as salt and light in the world? The passage clearly states that the difference between the Christian and the world must be preserved; therefore, any choice on our part which blurs the distinction between us and the rest of the world is a step in the wrong direction. This can happen either through a choice to accept the ways of the world for the sake of comfort or convenience or to contravene the law of obedience to Christ.

The loss of saltiness occurs in the failure of the Christian to daily take up the cross and follow Christ wholeheartedly.

Mark suggests that saltiness can be lost specifically through a lack of peace with one another.

Mark 9:50

50 Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other."

Here we find a reference to the metaphor of salt once again, this time in the context of obedient discipleship to Jesus Chris.

Luke 14:34-35…34 "Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!"

It seems, then, that the role of the Christian as salt and light in the world may be hindered or prevented to work in our lives is when we choose, to compromise or settle for that which is more convenient or comfortable, rather than that which is truly best and pleasing to the Lord.

Moreover, the status of salt and light is something which follows naturally from the Christian's humble obedience to the commandments of Christ. It is when we depart from the Spirit-led lifestyle of genuine discipleship that the distinctions between ourselves and the rest of the world become blurred and our testimony is hindered. Only by remaining focused on Christ and being obedient to Him can we expect to remain salt and light in the world.