In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus taught us that we are to be “salt” and “light.” We do this by not just “talking the talk,” but by “walking the walk.” We function as salt and light when others see our “good works and glorify [our] Father which is in heaven” (v. 16).
In this way, a world groping in darkness is benefited by the disciplined lives of a “chosen generation, a royal nation, a peculiar people” (1 Pet 2:9). So, when a Christian, who the Bible says, in Ephesians 2:10, has been created in Christ Jesus for “good works” is not living a godly life (i.e., is not actively doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God [cf. Mic 6:8]), he is no good to the Lord, himself, nor those around him.
Consequently, we should pray for, and seek to become, salty Christians who understand that although our Lord has returned to heaven, He left us here to faithfully serve the time, place, and people of a lost and dying world until that great and glorious day when He will return to judge the world and glorify His church.
Graciously redeemed by the precious blood of God’s only begotten Son, let us who have been born again be determined to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God as we serve our Families, our local Churches, our local, state and federal Governments, our Employers and Employees, and last of all, but certainly not least, our Neighbors. When we do so, we can be sure we are doing those good works we have been created in Christ Jesus to do, glorifying Him in the process.
“You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (Jas 2:24).