Salt and Light

        When I worked on a farm as a youngster, I often watched the cattle as they would go up to the large  blocks of salt.  Their long tongues would come out and slide back and forth over the salt block, getting a big lick of salt.  That brings me to the former name of Roanoke, Virginia.  Years ago, it was called, Big Lick.  Apparently, the name came from the fact of deer coming to a certain place where they could find salt deposits which was in this area.  Historians tells us, "The town first called Big Lick was established in 1852 and chartered in 1874. It was named for a large outcropping of salt which drew the wildlife to the site near the Roanoke River. In 1882 it became the town of Roanoke.  Salt is attracting not only to animals but also to people.  There is, however, a different kind of salt than NaCl.   Matthew 5:13-14 says, "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."  
     The Lord Jesus Christ, in His sermon on the Mount of Olives told the listeners that they were salt and light to the world.  There are several lessons and facts about salt and light that help explain the purpose of believers in the world today.  Years ago, Howard Hendricks asked a question in a course, "Why are we on this earth instead of in heaven?"  You may ask the same question and wonder why when you came to know the Lord Jesus Christ, you were not ushered into heaven immediately.  You are a testimony to the rest of the world and God wants you to have the properties of both salt and light in your present life as you conduct your relationships with people all around you.  As has been said, for some people, you are the only epistle that some people may read.  Think on the words that Christ uttered in this section and see if you are salt and light to those around you.  Praise God today for placing you and I in a place of ministry