First Step - day 28

Today’s Bible Reading

Matthew 5:11-16

11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. Why is it a blessing when you are insulted or persecuted for being a follower of Christ? (vv.11-12).

2. What kind of light would you liken yourself to? Are you a 100W bulb, a 50W bulb or a night-light in terms of how you display Christ’s light? Why?

3. As salt, what is one thing you can do to be a preservative of God’s love? How can you be a flavour-enhancer, showing others a better way?

Today’s Key Verse:

Matthew 5:13

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

Salt Today Being

It’scommon, cheap and used around the world. It has started wars, decided trade routes, and paid the salaries of soldiers. Today it serves chiefly as a preservative and a flavouring. What is it? It’s salt!

“You are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13).

If we think of salt as a preservative, we can assume Jesus wants us to stick to God’s ways and character. And if we think of salt’s ability to enhance flavour, we can be sure He wants us to help people discover the joy of knowing and living for Christ.

Salt stored away on a shelf is not fulfilling its function. In a similar way, unless we are actively at work sharing God’s lifeenhancing truth, we are not serving as spiritual salt. After all, the place for salt is in the varied ‘dishes’ life.

Jesus talked about salt when He was teaching His disciples how they were to serve as agents of His kingdom. He said,

Instead of just criticising the corruption of our culture and the flatness of daily life, let’s show the better way of living for God. We are His witnesses to those around us!.

—Vernon Grounds

Salt and light cannot be ignored!

Called to be salt and light in this world, Called to preserve and to shine, Called to reflect the glory of God— Oh, what a calling is mine! —Fitzhugh