Salt and Light

Paul the Apostle, life, Christ, truths worth fighting for

2011-08-18T05:48:00.000-07:00

"And Paul went in, as was his custom, and for three weeks he argued with them
from the scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ
to suffer and to rise from the dead....So he argued in the synagogue with the
Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who
chanced to be there....And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke
boldly, arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God....And he expounded the
matter to them from morning till evening, testifying to the kingdom of God and
trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the
prophets. And some were convinced from what he said, while others disbelieved.

Acts 17:2-3,17, 19:8, 28:23-4
RSV

John Locke Quote about Reason and Revelation, Truth

2011-08-16T14:54:00.000-07:00

"Revelation is natural reason enlarged by a new set of discoveries communicated
by God immediately, which reason vouches the truth of by the testimony and
proofs it gives that they come from God. So that he that takes away reason to
make way for revelation, puts out the light of both; and does much the same as
if he would persuade a man to put out his eyes, the better to receive the remote
light of an invisible star by a telescope."

John Locke in An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.

Neat art, I like the lamp in his hand. Beautiful piece.

2011-03-05T14:07:00.000-08:00

William Holman Hunt, Light of the World.

Salt and Light In Gospel of Matthew

2011-03-05T13:40:00.000-08:00

After all that had happened with Jesus, even after the resurrection when he was seeing people, visiting with people, even eating with them on the beach, he did give one last command to them all. That they are his last words, should be very telling to everyone.

In Matthew 5:13-16, it says that believers in Jesus, are to be salt and light. The world is often dark and just watching the news can give one a sense of foreboding at times. Life is precious, and quick. People need hope, and if its true what the Bible says about Jesus, it makes sense that He and others would want all to know about it.

Going to Matthew 28:16-20, you can see the actual commission by Jesus to the believers. They are to spread the hope and news of the Kingdom of God. Notice, he doesn't say to force it on anyone, at any time in history. There is to be no violence, just a sharing of the truth. People need to accept that not all will want this, nor accept it. You can't force it onto people even if you tried or wanted to. Its just a free gift of God, to those that want to respond. After that, you move on.

I am personally so thankful that someone ever shared the good news with me. Since that time, I have been learning and researching more, several decades now actually! I have only found reasons to reinforce what I already believe, and have put to the test many of the ideas that have been giving Christianity a "run for its money" so to speak. Its very refreshing to find, that no matter what, this simple truth seems to defend itself, without having to try. I mean, that truth would do that anyway. WHATEVER is true, will never have to really be fought for, it just is, except against things that are anti truth or even evil or at least immoral in the world.

Diamonds in Space

2011-02-27T13:04:00.000-08:00

2010-02-14T20:39:00.000-08:00

Light

2009-10-25T21:20:00.000-07:00

And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
Gen 1:4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
Gen 1:5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning--the first day.
Gen 1:15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so.
Gen 1:16 God made two great lights--the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.
Gen 1:17 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth,
Gen 1:18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.
(Genesis 1,some verses on light)

By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.
Exodus 13:21

You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light.
2 Samuel 22:29

he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.'
2 Samuel 23 :4

"There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know its ways or stay in its paths.
Job 24:13

Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.
Psalm 4:6

The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
Proverbs 13:19

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
Isaiah 5:20

I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.
Isaiah 45:7

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
Isaiah 60:1

The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
Isaiah 60:9

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:14

I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north--an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal,
I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him.
Ezekiel 1:4 & 27

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
John 3:19-20

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:5

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
John 12:46

to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
Acts 26:18

that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles."
Acts 26:23

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Romans 13:12

his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.
I Corinthians 3:13

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
I Corinthians 4:5

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2 Corinthians 4:4 (god, little g, god of this age, satan or the devil, lucifer, etc)

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2 Corinthians 4:17

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
2 Corinthians 11:14

Ephesians 5:9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
Eph 5:13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
Eph 5:14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
Colossians 1:12

but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
2 Timothy 1:10

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
I Peter2:9

And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
2 Peter 1:19

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
I John 1:5

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
I John 1:7

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.
I John 2:9

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Revelation 21:23

There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
Revelation 22:5

Verses using the illustration of Salt

2009-10-25T21:14:00.000-07:00

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
Matthew 5:13

Salt [is] good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."
Mark 9:50

[Let] your speech always [be] with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Colossians 4:6

Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
James 3:12

Salt and Light

2009-10-25T21:09:00.000-07:00

What does it mean to be salt and light? Can you imagine a world without salt and light?

I cannot...I rely on both. Light in particular, is absolutely critical to continuation of life on this earth. Without it, we would lose all life. Its placed into our lives in such a particular way to not kill us, and yet be enough to sustain life and allow for us to see things, and color in things, etc.

I hope to share some verses and quotes about salt and light here to illuminate a bit more on the subject. Leave any thoughts you wish and thank you for stopping by.