John 8:12; Matthew 5:13

God calls us to be salt-and-light Christians in a bland, dark society. We need to remember salt must not lose its taste and light must not be hidden. Let me suggest three statements that declare and describe how to fulfil this role.

"I am different." We should not become like the world. We must guard against being sucked into the prevailing culture and conforming to society's expectations.

"I am responsible." Every once in awhile we need to ask some hard questions: Are we making contact with others? Are we seeking isolation? It's up to us to spread the salt and light.

"I am influential." Let's not kid ourselves. The very fact that we belong to Christ—that we don't adapt to the system, that we march to a different drumbeat—gives us an influence in this society of ours. We are influencing others in our every behaviour, be it good or bad. Even when we aren't trying, out comes the salt and on comes the light.

Remember to keep your light "on" and your salt shaker tipped!

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Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll, Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers). All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.