As Christians, we must not forget about our identity as "SALT OF THE EARTH" and "LIGHT OF THE WORLD." Jesus warned us, "… but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men." Likewise, let's take heed of the Lord's warning lest we lose the godly characters and end up being good-for-nothing followers!

In Matthew 5:13-19, we see: inward purification - Salt of the earth (v3), outward illumination - Light of the World (v14), forward manifestation - City on a hill (v14) and upward revelation - Glorify your Father in heaven (vl6).

Inward Purification
Salt is important for the maintenance of our life and health. In our bloodstream there is always an exact percentage of salt present and this helps to maintain our life! Any great surplus or deficit of this salt amount would result in sickness and in death

Salt also supports other organic life and it preserves and prevents spoilage. It also flavours food! Salt is also used as an antiseptic in medicine.

Inward purification suggests other good qualities and Jesus compared his true disciples as "Salt of the earth." Therefore let us examine ourselves to see how our characters compare to the many good qualities of salt! The Holy Scripture says we are made in the image of God. So let us preserve the good characters and maintain the good testimony of God. Good character suggests speaking in grace (Col 4:6), speaking truths (Num 23:19), speaking with love (1 John 4:7-8) and speaking in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Eph 5:19).

So let us remember to retain these good characters deep within us so we can truly keep the flavour of the salt in us and really be the salt of the earth and a true disciple of Jesus Christ!

Outward Illumination
What is LIGHT? From the very beginning of the Bible, God said, "Let there be LIGHT"; and there was light! In John 1:4, 1 Peter 2:9 and Rev 21:23, the Bible give us some revelation of the LIGHT viz the LIGHT was the life of men, the LIGHT illumined the heavens and we were called out of darkness into His marvelous LIGHT! In Eph 5:8, we are reminded as the children of LIGHT and Jesus also reminds us, "Let your LIGHT so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Forward Manifestation 
What are we are required to do for our Lord? As Christians we are unique .. a chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation and God's own special people! Let us stand like that city on the hill and let the world see that we are SPECIAL PEOPLE and let us witness and reach out to non-believers of God's glory and goodness.

Upward Revelation 
"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8)." This is the promise that touches my heart and I am sure you too want to be pure in heart so that you can serve God faithfully and look forward to the day when you will see God! Desire to do this … let your Light so shine before men that they see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.

God's truth is inseparable from His character. Truth is essential to God Himself. Truth comes from God and is consistent with His character!

God's holiness reacts against all impurities. God is holy. God's holiness means He is totally committed to goodness and is at war with evil!

So let us remember our identity as a true disciple of Jesus Christ! Let us stand in the marketplace to shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven and let the world see that we are SPECIAL PEOPLE.