A Spiritual Lesson In Toon Language: Lesson 67

Topic: Salt And Light

Series: Digimon

Episode: His Master's Voice

In the Biblical context, what does "Salt and Light" mean? Jesus says this in Matthew 5: 13-16:

Salt and Light

Mat 5:13 "You are the salt of the world. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty again? It's good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled on by people.

Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden.

Mat 5:15 People don't light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

Mat 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before people in such a way that they will see your good actions and glorify your Father in heaven."

Salt has many uses. First,with food, salt in certain amounts is a strong spice that brings out flavor in a bland meal. Second, salt has curing properties, as in meat. Third, salt helps to prevent and treat illness with its germ killing property. Fouth it is used in making soap, for without it, the chemical chain reaction doesn't work to make it and the chemistry becomes basically worthless. Sixth, salt can sooth laryngitis and eyes given certain concentrations, or hydrate in a saline based solution. Seventh, salt is the base for marine life to live in its sea water environment. In the Biblical context also, salt also purifies and makes holy all grain and burnt sacrifices and/or offerings.

Given all of the above, it's no surprise that we are to be salt to the earth. Christians have the job of seasoning a bad day of someone with love and caring. We are to warn of coming judgment, consequences of actions etc. We are to be forgiving and therefore help to cleanse and comfort. We are to be giving, so everyone has enough etc. With Light, we are to have Jesus Christ at our center, build relationships, mend bridges, show people the love that a Christian is supposed to be made of. Our deeds need to match our faith in Christ. Our lives are to shine as the sun, but be humble. We are to bless people and not concentrate on anger, fighting, negativity, or even how we've been wronged. Our love needs to be obvious.

What happens though if we aren't who we need to be?

Let's look at this clip from the Digimon episode called "His Master's Voice."

Digimon : "His Master's Voice": Direct link for video/webm

What do you see?

In this clip, we see Kari being pulled into a dimmension known as "The Dark Ocean". Inside this place, what is one of the most obvious things in it?

What is striking to me is the lighthouse because it shines dark light. As the cartoon asks, what kind of lighthouse shines dark light?

Shining dark light can easily be us if we're not careful, Why is this such an easy trap to fall into?

We as humans, are prone to wander away in mind, spirit, heart etc. and will always be imperfect in our own strength. The more we rely on God, the less wandering we'll do; this is a lifetime quest for perfection which God has to provide what we lack. Without Him we will never be strong enough when life gives us its worst, the devil attacks, or when we're tired and stressed etc. Let's look at Colossians 4: 2-6.

Col 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer. Be alert and thankful when you pray.

Col 4:3 At the same time also pray for us--that God would open before us a door for the word so that we may tell the secret about the Messiah, for which I have been imprisoned.

Col 4:4 May I reveal it as clearly as I should!

Col 4:5 Behave wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of your time.

Col 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.

This looks like it's a call for discernment, prayer, productivity and finally tact in our speech. There are some times where being blunt is best, but for the most part, we live how we talk, be kind and clear, have no fear in talking faith and prayerfully answer tough questions when they come. Also, remember that "I don't know, I'll look that up" is sometimes not a bad answer either. God will provide answers to true seekers in due time; if you're not to give the answer yet, pray for the right time, or for someone to be given the answers to respond to those kind of questions. Even well meaning Christians can cause a lot of damage with talking improperly for someone's needs.

Let's look at Galations 5: 16-26.

Keep in Step with the Spirit

Gal 5:16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will never fulfill the desires of the flesh.

Gal 5:17 For what the flesh wants is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, and so you do not do what you want to do.

Gal 5:18 But if you are being led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Gal 5:19 Now the actions of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, promiscuity,

Gal 5:20 idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, rivalry, jealously, outbursts of anger, quarrels, conflicts, factions,

Gal 5:21 envy, murder, drunkenness, wild partying, and things like that. I am telling you now, as I have told you in the past, that people who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Gal 5:23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

Gal 5:24 Now those who belong to the Messiah Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires.

Gal 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also be guided.

Gal 5:26 Let's stop being arrogant, provoking one another and envying one another.

This sounds simple, but it's quite difficult unless there is a genuine faith-walk in Christ. With a well-run Christian faith-walk, the rules and attitudes of the heart noted here in scripture get easier as the relationship with God becomes closer. Jesus is the Light, so we must have a proper relationship with Him to be light.

What have we learned?

Our attitude about life needs to be in step with the fruits listed. Where there is imperfection, get stronger, where there is perfection or mastery, maintain and find a way to even improve that. God will always find a way for improvement in our lives. Love in Christ, love, faith, prayer and discernment are all keys, with them we will influence people positively for the Lord Jesus and His kingdom; with the proper attitude in Christ, we will be salt and light. Because we are salt and light, we will bring God's kingdom literally here to earth in any environment we land; if all did this who work for the kingdom, we would have a much better world.