Is the Church Losing Its Saltiness?

A Call for the Church to Shine Brightly

Sometimes, we need to take a step back and ask ourselves: Is the church really shining the way Jesus asked us to? In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus tells his followers they are the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” What does that really mean, and are we living up to it?

Jesus used simple examples because He wanted everyone to understand. Salt gives flavor and preserves food—it makes a real difference. Light helps everyone see; it chases away darkness. Jesus called His followers to be this kind of positive influence in the world. It’s not just about what we believe in our heads, but what we do with our hearts and lives.

But what happens if salt loses its saltiness, or if light is hidden under a bowl? Jesus said it’s not good for anything. In other words, if the church stops making a difference or hides away, we’re missing the point of what we’re called to do.

These verses are a challenge—a commitment of the heart. Each believer needs to decide: Am I living in a way that helps others see God’s goodness? Are my actions actually making the world a better place, especially for those who are struggling—the poor, the oppressed, the orphan, the widow, the foreigner?

There’s another aspect too: the church isn’t supposed to just go with the flow or support those in power no matter what. We are called to hold our leaders, including the President, accountable to God’s standards of justice and righteousness. If the church plays favorites, ignores what’s wrong, or laughs off serious issues, we’re not being the salt and light that Jesus talked about. In fact, we might even be causing people to stumble, or pushing them away from faith—something Jesus warns very strongly against.

Sometimes, people praise leaders for all they’ve “done,” but we need to look at what God cares about most: Are the poor and vulnerable being treated justly? Are those without a voice being heard and cared for? Or have we started caring more about our own agenda than God’s?

If the church only cares about looking good or having power, then we’re missing Jesus’ agenda. God’s heart is for the hurting, the lost, and those society forgets. Our job isn’t to serve our own interests, but to move onto God’s agenda—to love, to serve, to seek justice, and to point everyone to the hope found in Him.

So, let’s ask ourselves: Are we really being the salt and light in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and country? Are we showing people what God’s love and justice look like? Or are we hiding our light, and settling for less?

Let’s encourage each other to shine brightly—not for our own glory, but so people will see our good works and give glory to God. Let’s move the church back onto God’s agenda and commit in our hearts to the calling Jesus gave us.

Minister A Francine Green

September 2025