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.