When we believe the gospel of Jesus’ death on the cross, we are justified through our faith and have peace with Him. The life of the justified is not perfect due to a world tainted by sin resulting in a life of peace, hope, suffering and love.

No matter who you are or what you have done, Jesus will be delighted and rejoice with all of heaven if you repent and come back to him.

Since the kingdom of heaven has come and since the risen Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, then we must be salt and light – making disciples, baptizing and teaching others to obey all he has commanded.

Because the saving work of Jesus Christ is the only path that leads to life, being and remaining salt of the earth means committing to choose Jesus and the life of integrity he calls us to live

Since we all have a plank of sin in our own eye, it’s impossible to discern other people’s relationship with God, without first discerning our own. Being salt of the earth first requires us to receive God’s grace to grow the self awareness to change in our relationships.  

Being and remaining salt of the earth is incompatible with a life filled with the pursuit of the worries of the world. Worry erodes trust & contentment in Jesus. Instead we should relentlessly pursue God’s kingdom and His righteousness first to put worries in their place. 

Being and remaining salt of the earth means we see Christ is the true treasure, and so we store up our treasures in heaven, not in the things of this earth. Storing up treasures on earth dilutes our witness and love of God.  

Jesus uses the three acts of piety: giving to the needy, prayer and fasting, to show that being and remaining salt of the earth means living with God as your  loving Father and not living to impress either him or people. 

Since we are the salt of the earth, therefore the finished work of Christ, and the righteousness we’ve received by faith, become complete in us – in a life of integrity and holiness and submission to Jesus.

Spend time reflecting on your security, confidence and identity in Christ, and how you show the distinctiveness of Jesus to the world. Get ready to get specific in weeks to come.