I'm 2 weeks into teaching through the sermon on the mount at Colossae. We just covered Matthew 5:13-16 and walked through a few things that seemed to really stand out to people in these verses. I know they did to me as well. Here are a two very brief points I think changes the way we view this passage as well as ourselves:
These are not commands. We often think we need to try and be salt and light in the world. But that's not what Jesus is saying here.This is an identity statement. We don't need to try and be salt and light, because Jesus says his disciples ARE salt and light. Jesus says, "You are salt..." and he says "You are the light..."
So, the question isn't whether or not we are these things. The question is whether or not we are identifying ourselves as Jesus identifies us and living authentic to who he's made us to be. It's an issue of identity. How we identify ourselves will drive every aspect of our lives. The truth is …
These are not commands. We often think we need to try and be salt and light in the world. But that's not what Jesus is saying here.This is an identity statement. We don't need to try and be salt and light, because Jesus says his disciples ARE salt and light. Jesus says, "You are salt..." and he says "You are the light..."
So, the question isn't whether or not we are these things. The question is whether or not we are identifying ourselves as Jesus identifies us and living authentic to who he's made us to be. It's an issue of identity. How we identify ourselves will drive every aspect of our lives. The truth is …