In the Bible, we find two remarkable testimonials about us, the disciples of Jesus. The Lord says that we are salt and light. That doesn’t mean we will become salt and light in the distant future, but that we are already salt and light, here and now. 

Salt preserves food, preventing spoiling and rotting. In the old days, salting food was a very important method of preservation. Salt was indispensable, because anything salted would not rot and go to waste. It was valuable and desirable to everyone. Salt is also vital for life. We now know that not a single cell in our bodies can function without salt. That’s why, in the Bible, salt stands for being life-giving, enduring and protecting.

According to Hezekiel 16:4, newborn babies were rubbed with salt. Elisha used salt to turn bitter, undrinkable water sweet (2 Kings 2:19-22) and salt was even required for sacrifices in Biblical times (Leviticus 2:13). It was known as the “salt of the covenant” and “a covenant of salt” (Numbers 18:19, 2 Chronicles 13:5), to show that our covenant with God is strong, life-giving and enduring.

In other words, when Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth, He is speaking of the vital life-preserving, protective power of salt. God’s people are like salt for the world – indispensable and life-saving.

An important aspect of light is that it gives us orientation, clarity and security. Imagine someone is lost in a forest and alone in the dark. If he can see a light, then he can orientate himself and walk towards it, but without light, he is helpless. Or think of a lighthouse, guiding ships to safety in the night. God is light and wherever He is, His godly light illuminates our lives and our circumstances. The enemy, on the other hand, hides in the dark, because he hates the light, which exposes his works.

Jesus says that in this dark, fallen realm, we are the light of the world. We give people orientation, we show them the way to salvation, and we light the path to Jesus Christ. Every person needs light. It is utterly necessary for life.  Every person needs light. It is utterly necessary for life. In the same way, this world needs the light of the Gospel. Like salt, it is indispensable and life-saving.

Reinhard Bonnke writes:

“An electric light bulb is one of the most transparent objects I know. We can see everything there is in it. In itself, it is perhaps the most useless artefact ever made. It is useless until the power flows into its filament. The electric bulb only transforms a lamp when electricity flows to it. It has no light of its own. It is only an accessory for current. 

Christ said that we are the light of the world but we have no light in ourselves. We are only accessories for the divine energies. As we read in Ephesians 5:8, we were once darkness, but now we are light in the Lord. That light is energised in us by the power of God’s Spirit. That is how it was with the disciples. They shrank from public notice, hiding themselves away in a locked room for fear of what might happen to them. Then seven weeks later they burst into the streets, glowing with light and life! They lit up Jerusalem, like brightly burning beacons. The power had come.

Christ said that believers are the light of the world, but it needs the Holy Spirit to switch them on.  Christ said that believers are the light of the world, but it needs the Holy Spirit to switch them on.” 

That’s exactly what it’s all about.  

You and I are salt and light, and we put this principle into action to lead people to Jesus. This task has been given to all of us, because the Gospel is full of life-giving “salt and light power”.

When we see in Africa how people are changed by the Good News - how doubters and mockers find Jesus, how the sick and disabled are healed, how thieves return stolen goods, how broken marriages are restored, how entire regions develop economically, and the darkness is pushed back ever further – then you know what incredible meaning salt and light hold for this world. Whenever we preach in Africa, or anywhere else, we are bringing this precious salt and light to the people who need it most.

But we cannot do it alone. Such a great task can only be accomplished together. We need you! We need your prayers and we need your financial help. Ahead of us lie strategically important preparations for Lagos 2017, as well as further campaigns in Obuasi (Ghana), Ogbomosho (Nigeria) and Brazzaville (Congo). We’ve taken on a great deal of work in the next few months, so we’re especially grateful right now, over the summer season, for every helping hand of support.