Holy Influence

Arthur Pink argues that Matthew 4:13–16 should be applied to ministers of the gospel. True, those who have the greatest public exposure are most likely to suffer persecution for their testimony in Christ. However, what is said must also apply to all followers of Jesus Christ. First, Jesus revealed the character necessary for one to be a true believer. Second, He warned that living out the holy principles reflected in Christlike character would put His followers at odds with the culture around them, which most likely would result in open opposition (persecution). We are never more like Jesus Christ than when we suffer like Him at the hands of wicked people. Third, Jesus doubled down to discourage any thought of withdrawal or seclusion to avoid suffering. He declared that His followers were salt and light in the world.

Jesus did not urge anyone to consider their responsibility and to decide to do something to be salty as they found opportunity. Their only responsibility is to remain pure in their holiness of life. When a saint is worldly, he is worthless. Salt cannot be altered and remain salt, but it can be contaminated. Holy and righteous living in obedience and conformity to God’s rule and will defines the believer’s influence in his culture. Salt preserves and purifies the culture, which means that God’s plan to restore righteousness in the world is to plant His holy people in the culture. When He does so, the culture typically reacts to expel the salt.

To support holiness and to establish righteousness in the culture, God called His people to be light in the world. Light is a symbol for the spiritual awakening brought by the gospel. Light dispels the darkness and exposes reality. Light is truth. The Word of God is truth. Believers are light when they declare the Word of truth.

Jesus used two analogies, a city and a lampstand. Without stretching the analogy too much, the city corresponds to an aggregate of people—a true gospel-preaching church. The lampstand corresponds to the home where the Word of God gives light to all that are in the house. Our culture is descending into greater darkness because people are abandoning the church. The light of a city is the preaching of the Word of God. The more the preaching, the greater the light. Our homes, likewise, have become dark dens because the Word of God is not illuminating all corners of the house. Satan has distracted families from what is most important, and many children are being lost to eternal hope.

Lastly, Jesus applies the light process to individual believers in their good deeds. One may do good deeds and be charitable among his neighbors without ever being a believer. However, in this case, who gets the glory? Christians may also do good deeds and not bring glory to God. Jesus made it plain that when one does good works, he must also speak the Word of God (“let your light shine”) so that God will receive the glory for what he does.

Fidelity to Truth

“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” (Matthew 5:13).

A. W. Pink* argues that the Lord’s reference to salt and light (vv. 13–16) apply to the apostles in particular, not to the disciples in general. He gives three reasons for his claim: (1) the pronoun changes (they in verse 12 to you in verse 13) show a shift from a general principle to a specific application. (2) Christ’s public servants would be most likely to receive the brunt of persecution (vv. 10, 11). (3) This is supported by the phrase, “for so they persecuted the prophets [not the saints] who were before you.” Pink cites Matthew Henry, noting that in 4:19 Jesus had just called the first apostles to “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Here He tells them further that they are designed to be salt and the light in the world.

It would be best to apply this text to those who have the greatest public exposure, but it equally applies to all believers who openly witness the gospel of Christ. Nevertheless, the specific reference is to the effect of the character of those who testify of Christ in the world and the reaction of the world to them: “You are the salt of the earth.”

Salt is indispensable to life. Its antiseptic qualities are renowned, being well suited to the figure of truth, arresting the natural corruption that prevents holiness and purity in the world. Only those whom the Lord pronounces blessed are suitable to be so. The clear evidence of the effect of their person and witness is the negative reaction—persecution. Herein lies the danger that Christ immediately presents. Negative assault on anyone’s person is naturally met with self-defense and protective action. Would not a little sugar find a better reception than pure salt? So, the temptation is great to soften the sting of truth.

This is what Jesus means when He observes, “if salt has lost its taste.” We understand that salt is a chemical compound that cannot be altered. The only way it can lose its saltiness is by diluting it. Paul warned Timothy, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Timothy 4:2–4, KJV).

“How shall its saltiness be restored?” Compromisers, who to preserve self and would be unfaithful to the truth, will find it difficult, if not impossible, to be restored to kingdom usefulness. This fact is clear in Christ’s warning, “It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” Unfaithful ministers are not only worthless to God and man but are condemned by both as well. “But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction”  (Malachi 2:8, 9).

*A. W. Pink, An Exposition of the Sermon on the Mount, Baker Book House, pp. 43–46, ©1953         

The Blessing of Persecution

The eight beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–10) end with “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” This seems like a strange place to conclude these classic statements of blessedness. Some commentators argue that there are only seven, the last being peacemakers. They see the reference to persecution as a separate discussion. However, verse 10 fits the pattern of each beatitude before it. Particularly, observe that the pronouns in verses 3–10 are the third person plural. However, in verse 11 the pronoun shifts to the second person plural, you, explaining how His followers would be very blessed when they are persecuted. And they will be.

The term makarios translated blessed means more than “happiness.” True, it refers to the happy condition of one who is in favor with the Lord, but it means more. This term is one of recommendation. In other words, the blessed ones are those who possesses qualities to be envied and emulated. However unpromising the quality of one’s life may appear in the short term, it is recommended as necessary to that life which God commends. This recommendation is further evidenced by the fact that each beatitude is followed by the reward promised for that way of life for which the believer will never be the loser.

This last beatitude addresses the most serious of the unpromising qualities of life. Persecution is opposition that threatens harm, even death. The root of the term means to flee. The persecuted one is, believes, and stands for something that places him in imminent danger of his very life. “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes” (Matthew 10:22, 23). Commenting on this passage, the New Bible Commentary says, “To follow Jesus is not a route to popularity and influence; it leads to life on the run.” Persecution is not an option. “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). So, how can such circumstances be recommended as a way of life in which one will never be the loser?  

Christ adds the commentary of verses 11 and 12. First, this suffering is on Christ’s account. It assures the believer is in step with the Lord, His purpose, and His work (addressed in verses 13 and 14) in this age. “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” As one does the will of God, the Lord promises His presence and protection (Hebrews 13:5, 6). Second, the very great reward promised is heaven itself (Revelation 7:9–17). Third, the persecuted one can take comfort in the fact that he is keeping good company: “For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”