Select a Ring of Truth daily devotion online
Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
Select the date to display the devotion for:
Matthew 5:13-16
“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. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
How salty are you? How brightly do you shine?
What does one pick out or highlight from the New Testament, let alone the Gospels? It’s almost an impossible task, so please do be patient and gracious with me. Although I tried very hard to cover as much as I could between the four Gospels, there are bound to be a significant number of omissions (including undoubtedly some of your favourites).
Why did I choose Chapter 5 from Matthew? Because it has the beginning of one of the greatest discourses ever given on earth. All of it is tremendously powerful and of vital significance and we need to read it all again. (And again and again.)
I was going to highlight the Beatitudes, but they are so profound where could I start? Please remember, however, it is our attitudes that govern our actions and overall disposition. And we choose our attitudes. And God wants us to have a gratitude attitude.
Jesus’ teaching was as radical then as it is today. A right understanding of it would fundamentally change society for the better. Far from being outdated, if we put it into practice, we would bring Heaven to earth, and if nothing else, would save our Governments extraordinary amounts of work and drastically reduce the taxes we pay.
The Sermon on the Mount gives us insight into the ‘Kingdom culture’. It is how we, as Christians, should live. If we would live by and put these principles into practice, we would begin to change society for the better and hasten the Lord’s return.
Many Christians seem fearful about becoming a witness for Jesus. That is a fundamental misunderstanding of the truth. We are witnesses, whether we like it or not. The question is not – Are we one? But what sort are we?
Jesus said, in effect, ‘“You are the salt of the earth” – whether you like it or not.’ If you then act as salt-less people – you are worthless to the Kingdom of God. Either change or give up being a Christian. Live a life of righteousness and integrity in all you do – at home, at work and when relaxing with friends. Don’t follow or be the same as the world; be different and transform it.
Similarly, ‘“You are the light of the world” whether you like it or not.’ People are watching you – whether you like it or not – whether you realise it or not. They live in darkness – they are bound to see your light, however small it is, and be drawn to it. You don’t need to apologise or be ashamed of being a Christian. You have the “LIGHT” of Christ within you. They have only darkness. Deep down most people are longing to ‘know the way’ but just can’t find it.
So, come on. Let’s be unashamedly and proactively both “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”, and thereby bring the Kingdom of God to earth and start radically changing society for the better and for ‘their good’ too.
Let the Jesus in you be seen and known. –
Then He will begin to get the praise and glory which He is due.
Download the above Ring of Truth devotion as a PDF.
Previous Day's Devotion | Next Day's Devotion
To subscribe to this daily devotion by email visit our Daily Email subscription page.
