Title Matthew 05:13-16 Light and Salt
Contents Matthew 5:13-16
A few years ago, during the general election process, there was a problem when a member of the National Assembly candidate Mo made disparaging remarks about Christianity. I could criticize it for not understanding the essence of Christianity and just trying to get the media attention, but before doing that, I thought, 'I have to look at myself first.' And I also thought that maybe he was speaking crudely about God's heart and the mission of the times through him, who wants the Korean church to restore its identity as a church-like church.
How do we live in this era? Just like the Korean church, we are a fig tree that has only beented leaves for three years without producing fruit.
In Matthew 5:13-17 of the Sermon on the Mount, the words of light and salt are recorded. The text speaks of Christian social responsibility. We can say that because of verse 13. “You are the salt of the world.” Church, like salt, serves as a seasoning that makes a tasteless world that is tasteless. Salt, over time, makes the corrupt new and healthy, and cleans the dirty world. Salt changes the world by sacrificing itself. Verse 14 says, “You are the light of the world.” The church, like light, is not bound only to the church, but it heals like sunlight, defeating the dark world that is sick and corrupted by various absurdities. A church like the light shines light not only on itself, its own church, its own denomination, and its own theological position and understanding, but also into its neighbors and society, and beyond the Korean church and East Asia to the world. It is necessary to meditate deeply on the words of the Lord that the lamp should not be placed under a bowl, but be placed on a lampstand to illuminate not only the inside of the horse but also the whole room. Before we say and pray to become like light and salt, we must first live a Christian life with a clear identity, like light and salt.
The Korean church must enter the furnace of the Holy Spirit again through inner renewal through the Word and thorough repentance before God, just like Mark's Darakbang on the Day of Pentecost in the early church, and the Great Crusade in Pyongyang 100 years ago. Therefore, we must be transformed and empowered to be born again as a church that leads the times and gives biblical influence.
In addition, Christians must be faithful to their passionate inner faith, while prophetically rebuking and setting an example for a world that runs counter to the Word of God, and helps build a healthy church that expands the kingdom of God.
Just like Jesus, who showed an example of love until he died on the cross, like a good Samaritan who served his neighbor who was bleeding and groaning after being met by a thief, like a good Samaritan, when Christians and churches fulfill their missions of light and salt, the earth will be under the control of God. I believe that the world will be restored to a beautiful and savory world.