5:13-16 What do we learn from what Jesus says here?

This is a stern warning to Christians to not only be hearers of God’s word, but doers also. In Mt 5:13 Jesus likens Christians to salt, which seasons and preserves. Christians are to be seasoning agents in society to counteract the corrupt world system.

If they no longer contain the characteristics to withstand the corrupt world system, Christians are like salt that has lost its “saltiness” – they no longer fulfill God’s purpose in the earth. Like salt that has lost its flavor no longer has any value, they too are no longer of any value (cp Mk 9:50; Lk 14:34-35).

In Mt 5:14 we learn that as a city built on top of a hill cannot be hid, but its glory is reflected for all to see, so too God’s glory is reflected for the world to see in the good works performed by Christians (cp V15-16 with Jn 14:12-13; 15:7-8). The purpose of all good works among men is to glorify God (cp Mk 4:21-25). Jesus admonishes His followers here to put into practice what they hear. Knowing that the gospel saves is not something believers can keep to themselves – it has to be shared with those who are not saved (cp Lk 8:16-17).

Christians have not been given the light of Divine truth to hide it from others – it must be shared with them. What we do with the truth we receive will determine whether or not we will be given more or lose that which we already have, and forfeit our salvation as well (cp Mt 25:29-30; Mk 4:24-25; Lk 8:18). See also comments on Mt 8:18-22, 10:37-38, Mk 4:21-25, Lk 14:28-35,

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