Martin Luther once said that God does not need our good deeds, but our neighbor does.
Meaning, our personal walk with God is important and necessary, but if it is not overflowing into the lives of others through service and love, then maybe we need to evaluate what our relationship with God is all about. Indeed, Jesus spent much time alone with God in prayer and reflection (Luke 6:12, one of many examples). However, that was not the basis of His ministry, that was the fuel for His ministry. Jesus was filled up in order to be empowered to overflow the greatness of the glory of God to those around Him—through His words, actions, presence, and miracles.
In the same way, we must not see our Christian life as simply a personal Bible study and corporate gathering of people with similar beliefs. As Jesus joyfully and purposely missioned the dirty parts of life (i.e. redemption of the cosmos by atoning for sin and providing restoration; healing of sick, deaf, and blind; loving the unaccepted, disdained, and outcasts; reforming the corruption of the synagogues), so also must we go in His name and purpose.
In fact, in the book of James, we see that the faith that manifests in outreach to others is truest religion (1:27, 2:14, 2:20).
And furthermore, Jesus calls his people the salt of the world for a reason: what does salt do? It enlivens and flavors all that is around it. Similarly, we must go into the world as His ambassadors, with the Spirit of God pulsing through our veins, and bring Life to those areas that are needing the salvation and joy of the Savior. Besides, what good is it when salt is all lumped together? It tastes nasty and does not fulfill its intended purpose. Similarly, when we Christians huddle in our groups and refuse to go out into the world, we become a bad taste to the world’s tastebuds, with zero effectivity for what we are intended and designed to do.
When Jesus calls Christians ‘salt of the earth,’ he’s making an analogy: Salt effectively flavors when spread out, not lumped together.
Therefore, let’s go into our communities, schools, and workplaces—getting out of our private and huddled lives—being empowered with His grace, confidence, and boldness—and impact the world.
