Honesty and Truth
Pure salt has value.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. - Matt. 5:11-16
To be the salt of the earth means one is honest, dependable. Just as salt preserves food and gives it flavor, so it is with honesty in us.
If we lack honesty, what value do we have to others? Who will believe in us?
Jesus expects us to be the light of truth, shining on all the darkness in the world, making it easy to see the truth. Can we do that if we are dishonest ourselves?
The two attributes go hand in hand. We need to be honest in order to show the world the truth.
I believe people don't always intend to be dishonest.
They may begin by saying or doing something without thought and then feel guilty admitting it, so they cover up what they said or did, leaving a lie in its place.
We have all done it, of that I am sure. Sometimes it is a minor thing, but these things can grow and have major consequences.
Jesus wants us to realize we are capable of these things. We too can lose the taste of the salt within us.
The key is to shine a light on these things and bring the truth into the open.
We will all feel better for it.
More to come...