Since God has called us to be His salt-and-light servants in a bland, dark society, it will be necessary for us to commit ourselves to the task before us. Remember, salt must not lose its taste, and light must not be hidden. In order to keep us on target, let me suggest three statements that declare and describe how to fulfill this role.

For the past few days, we have observed the promises Jesus made in “The Beatitudes.” We are only halfway through the list, but it’s a good place to stop and summarize what we have seen in this inspired portrait thus far. Jesus is describing how to be different, how to be His unique servant in a hostile, wicked world. He honors particular character traits and offers special rewards for each.

Does it seem important to you that Christ calls us what He called Himself? “I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12). “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Servants of Christ shine with His light in a society that is hopelessly lost, left to itself. Now, answer two questions . . .

Think about these three practical, positive aspects of salt. First, salt is shaken and sprinkled . . . not poured. It must be spread out. Too much salt ruins food. A good reminder for Christians to spread out rather than stay huddled all together. Second, salt adds flavor . . .

Ours is a tough, rugged, wicked world. Aggression, rebellion, violence, cutthroat competition, and retaliation abound. Not just internationally but personally. What is true in the secret council chambers of nations is also true behind closed doors of homes. We are stubborn, warring people.

Shortly before her death in February 1971, my mother did an oil painting for me. It has become a silent “friend” of mine, a mute yet eloquent expression of my calling. It is a picture of a shepherd with his sheep. The man is standing all alone with his crook in his hand, facing the hillside with sheep here and there. You cannot see the shepherd’s face, but the little woolies surrounding him have personalities all their own.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon remains one of the most colorful and gifted preachers in the history of the church. Any man who loves to preach and desires to cultivate the art and skill of communication must study Spurgeon. Before the man was 30 years old, he was the most popular preacher in England. The new Metropolitan Tabernacle was filled to overflowing every Lord’s Day as people came miles by horse and buggy to hear the gifted man handle the Word of God.

Do you usually associate persecution with blessing? Jesus did. “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness” (Matthew 5:10). I don’t know how this strikes you, but it seems misplaced at first glance. Especially on the heels of what we have learned about being “peacemakers.” But it is not misplaced.

A man I have admired for decades, the man who taught me Hebrew in seminary many years ago, is Dr. Bruce Waltke. He is not only a Semitic scholar par-excellence, he is a gracious servant of our Lord. In my opinion, he is one of the finest examples of a peacemaker in the family of God. Too brilliant for words, yet the epitome of grace and love. What a magnificent balance!

“Blessed are the peacemakers,” Jesus said (Matthew 5:9). Interestingly, this is the only time in all the New Testament that the Greek term translated “peacemakers” appears. Maybe it will help us understand the meaning by pointing out first what it does not mean.