How God works in a sick and broken world

Matthew 5:13-16

    13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

   14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

We all see symptoms of a sick and broken world around us. Eighteen people pass by a toddler bleeding in the middle of the street. Evil people enslave young girls to make money and gratify the lusts of perverse men. And, just like in ancient Israel, the richand powerful “grind the faces of the poor” and “covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them” from the weak and vulnerable.

It’s no wonder that Paul says that all creation is groaning as though in the pains of childbirth. What is the solution? Why doesn’t God do anything?

Read what Jesus said to His followers in His Sermon on the Mount. “You are the salt of the earth,” He said. “You are the light of the world.” Jesus called his followers to preserve, flavor, and give light to a dark and decaying world.

The name Christian means “little Christ.” When we follow our Master, our 師父, we become part of His solution. Definitely, there is a heaven and hell where God will balance the scales. But we still have a job to do while we are here on earth. We are to be salt and light.

What good is it if salt loses its saltiness? What good his a lamp kept under a bowl? How can we be a solution for the world if we think and act the same as everyone else does? “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”

No, we are to love our enemies and bless those who persecute us. If someone who has power over you abuses that power, willingly submit to them. God makes the rain fall on the righteous and unrighteous both because He cares for them. He wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.

Why is it that so many who are not believers reject God? Isn’t it because His followers are no better—in some cases, worse—than these unbelievers? If salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?

God wants us to be perfect, just as He is perfect. In this way, His light will shine through us before men, just as a lamp gives light to everyone in a house. “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”