“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16

After giving a composite picture of what it means to be a disciple of Christ (Matthew 5:3-12), the Lord makes application regarding living out this reality as salt (preservative) and light (illumination and guidance) in the world at large. 

In 2016, the Oxford Capital Dictionary's Word of the Year was “Post-Truth,” which is defined “as relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief” (personal autonomy is valued more than objective statements).

“The understanding of life which emerges with the Romantic expressivism of the late 18th century, that each of us has his/her own way of realizing our humanity, and that it is important to find and live out one's own, as against surrendering to conformity with the model imposed on us from outside, by society, or by previous generation, or religious or political authority.” Charles Taylor, quoted by Carl Trueman in The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, pg. 46

To live as people of biblical truth in our culture, we must read the Bible, in prayerful dependence upon the leadership of the Holy Spirit and in the context of community which embraces the present and past.

Salt and Light:

• Salt preserves and gives flavor, and yet, if the salt is mixed with other elements it loses its effectiveness (Matthew 5:13).
• Light gives guidance and shines brightly, but it can be placed under a basket.

How do we preserve and illuminate? 

1. We live as citizens of heaven in the midst of a b_______, o__________-l________ country. 

All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. In the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography. We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. We should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. In order to promote these ends Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth. The Baptist Faith and Message, Article 15: The Christian and the Social Order

“W_______ and all.” Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658)

While we rejoice in the opportunities afforded us to live in the land of freedom, we also acknowledge the reality of sin.

3. We embrace the present day calling of God on our lives as we cry out “give us this day our daily bread."

“I wish it did not have happened in my time,” said Frodo (re the power of Sahron the Great, the Dark Lord). Gandalf replied, “So do I, and so do all who live to see such times. But this is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” The Lord of the Rings 

Key Thoughts:

1. We thank God for the privileges and blessings of liberty and freedom, while simultaneously acknowledging "warts and all."
2. We live in an era of post-truth, therefore we need to be even more tenacious in seeking out biblically-saturated community and fellowship than the previous generations.
3. The salt can lose its saltiness if the salt intentionally embraces impure/unbiblical teachings and worldviews. The light can be put under a bowl. 
4. We embrace the present and live with a sense of calling, which is undergirded with biblical hope because the Kingdom of God is forever.

Answer Key: blesses, opportunity, laden, warts