Question: "What does it mean that believers are to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16)?"

Answer:

Jesus used the concepts of salt and light a number of different times to refer to the role of His followers in the world. One example is found in Matthew 5:13: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”

Salt had two purposes in the Middle East of the first century. Because of the lack of refrigeration, salt was used to preserve food, especially meat which would quickly spoil in the desert environment. Believers in Christ are preservatives to the world, preserving it from the evil inherent in the society of ungodly men whose unredeemed natures are corrupted by sin (Psalm 14:3; Romans 8:8).

Second, salt was used then, as now, as a flavor enhancer. In the same way that salt enhances the flavor of the food it seasons, the followers of Christ stand out as those who “enhance” the flavor of life in this world

Christians, living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in obedience to Christ, will inevitably influence the world for good, as salt has a positive influence on the flavor of the food it seasons. Where there is strife, we are to be peacemakers; where there is sorrow, we are to be the ministers of Christ, binding up wounds, and where there is hatred, we are to exemplify the love of God in Christ, returning good for evil (Luke 6:35).

light to the world, the good works of Christ’s followers are to shine for all to see.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16, NASB).

The idea here is similar—the presence of light in darkness is something which is unmistakable. The

presence of Christians in the world must be like a light in the darkness(MAS MADILIM, MAS

MALAKAS ANG ILAW), but also in the sense that Our good deeds must be evident for all to see. HOWWW??

It will be evident for all if we follow the principles Jesus taught in other passages like the beatitudes. Christians are not to stand for their own sake, but that those who looked on might “glorify your Father who is in heaven” (v. 16, KJV).

What would hinder us from fulfilling the role of being salt and light to the world?

According sa verse, dapat may distinction talaga sa way of life ng mga Christians sa way of the world. Therefore, any choice kung saan lalabo yung distinction kung ano ba ang way of the world sa way ng isang Christian ay mali..

Happens when we make a choice to accept the ways of the world for the sake of comfort or convenience or to contravene the law of obedience to Christ or that which is pleasing to the Lord.

Mark 9:50 suggests that saltiness can be lost specifically through a lack of peace with one another; this follows from the command to “have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” And in Luke 14:34-35, we find a reference to the metaphor of salt once again, this time in the context of obedient

discipleship to Jesus Christ. The loss of saltiness occurs in the failure of the Christian to daily take up the cross and follow Christ wholeheartedly.

The status of salt and light is something which follows naturally from the Christian’s humble obedience to the commandments of Christ.

When we depart from the Spirit-led lifestyle of genuine discipleship that the distinctions between ourselves and the rest of the world become blurred and our testimony is hindered.

Only by remaining focused on Christ and being obedient to Him can we expect to remain salt and light in the world.

Fulfllment of the LAW

 frequently argued that if Jesus did not “abolish” the law, then it must still be binding. Accordingly, such components as the Sabbath-day requirement must be operative still, along with perhaps numerous other elements of the Mosaic Law. This assumption is grounded in a misunderstanding of the words and intent of this passage. Christ did not suggest here that the binding nature of the law of Moses would remain forever in effect. Such a view would contradict everything we learn from the balance of the New Testament 

In this study is the word rendered “abolish.” It translates the Greek term kataluo, literally meaning “to loosen down.” 

 In this context, “abolish” is set in opposition to “fulfill.” Christ came “...not to abolish, but to fulfill.” Jesus did not come to this earth for the purpose of acting as an opponent of the law. His goal was not to prevent its fulfillment. Rather, He revered it, loved it, obeyed it, and brought it to fruition. He fulfilled the law’s prophetic utterances regarding Himself (Luke 24:44). Christ fulfilled the demands of the Mosaic law, which called for perfect obedience under threat of a “curse” (see Galatians 3:10, 13).

In this sense, the law’s divine design will ever have an abiding effect. It will always accomplish the purpose for which it was given.

If, however, the law of Moses bears the same relationship to men today, in terms of its binding status, then it was not fulfilled, and Jesus failed at what He came to do. 

We are saved by God's grace (Ephesians 2:8–9).

 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Being under grace, believers are not bound by the Law (Romans 6:14),

 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

but we have the Holy Spirit actually living in our hearts. The Spirit gives us the ability to "love one another" (John 13:34),

 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

and we know that "the one who loves another has fulfilled the law" (Romans 13:8).

 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Christians do not work at fulfilling the Mosaic Law, which Christ fulfilled on our behalf (Matthew 5:17);

rather, we fulfill the "law of Christ" by the Spirit's power (Galatians 6:2)

 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

ADULTERY:

Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, made further clarification of this command (Matthew 5:27-30) by including all kinds of lustful thoughts. Fantasizing about having sexual relations with someone is the same, in God’s eyes, as actually committing adultery. Therefore, we must avoid all things that would create within us lustful thoughts (e.g., suggestive songs, sensuous movies, pornography, etc.). We should also avoid immodest clothing or anything that might cause a brother or sister in the Lord to stumble in this area (1 Timothy 2:9; 1 Peter 3:3). women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control(THUS NOT ONLY NEGATIVE OF NOT DOING THINGS but also TO DO SOME THINGS)

The positive part of the command would entail doing the opposite of what the command prohibits: chastity in body, mind, words and action; keeping watch over what we take in with our eyes and the other senses; an attitude of temperance and self-control (i.e., moderation); being discerning over the company we keep; dressing modestly; and fulfilling our marriage vows in regards to sexual relations and cohabitation. 

What does the Bible say about divorce and remarriage?I am divorced. Can I remarry?

It is our view that there are certain instances in which divorce and remarriage are permitted without the remarriage being considered adultery. These instances would include unrepentant adultery and abandonment of a believing spouse by an unbelieving spouse. We are not saying that a person under such circumstances should remarry. The Bible definitely encourages remaining single or reconciliation over remarriage (1 Corinthians 7:11). At the same time, it is our view that God offers His mercy and grace to the innocent party in a divorce and allows that person to remarry.

A person who gets a divorce for a reason other than the reasons listed above, and then gets remarried has committed adultery (Luke 16:18). 

In our culture, taking an oath usually involves raising the right hand or placing a hand over the heart or on a Bible. In ancient Hebrew culture, we find something a little different. Genesis 24:9 Genesis 47:29, The thigh was considered the source of posterity in the ancient world. Or, more properly, the “loins” or the testicles.  1) Abraham had been promised a “seed” by God, and this covenantal blessing was passed on to his son and grandson. Abraham made his trusted servant swear “on the seed of Abraham” that he would find a wife for Isaac. 2) Abraham had received circumcision as the sign of the covenant (Genesis 17:10). Our custom is to swear on a Bible; the Hebrew custom was to swear on circumcision, the mark of God’s covenant

Ako ay Pilipino

Buong katapatang nanunumpa

Sa watawat ng Pilipinas

At sa bansang kanyang sinasagisag

Na may dangal, katarungan at kalayaan

Na pinakikilos ng sambayanang

Maka-Diyos

Maka-tao

Makakalikasan at

Makabansa

A pledge is a formalized promise, and there is nothing wrong with making a promise.

Allegiance in the context means “loyalty as a citizen.”

Being a good citizen is a Christian duty. Titus 3:1 says that we should “be subject to rulers and authorities . . . obedient . . . ready to do whatever is good.”

The only time we should disobey the ruling authorities is when they issue commands that directly conflict with God’s Word (see Acts 5:2 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.)

In Matthew 22:21 Jesus said, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Jesus obviously acknowledged that civil government plays a role in this earthly realm

Jesus is speaking of rash or flippant oaths. He could not have meant that all oath-taking is wrong—God Himself takes oaths (Isaiah 45:23; Hebrews 6:17), and Paul took a vow (Acts 18:18). Besides, pledging loyalty to a nation is not the same as taking an oath; a pledge is a solemn promise, but an oath carries the extra weight of an appeal to God.

“an eye for eye,” sometimes called jus talionis or lex talionis,

punishment must fit the crime and there should be a just penalty for evil action

In giving this “new” command, Jesus is not nullifying the Old Testament law (Matthew 5:17). Rather, He is separating the responsibility of the government (to punish evildoers justly) from the responsibility we all have on a personal level before God to love our enemies. We should not seek retribution for personal slights. We are to ignore personal insults (the meaning of “turn the other cheek”). Christians are to be willing to give more of their material goods, time, and labor than required, even if the demands upon us are unjust.

Enforcing “an eye for an eye” is the magistrate’s job; forgiving our enemies is ours. We see this played out today every time a victim stands up in court to publicly forgive a convicted criminal—the forgiveness is personal and real, but the judge still justly demands that the sentence be carried out.

The actions of duly appointed agents of the government, such as police officers and the military, to protect citizens and preserve the peace are not in question. Jesus’ command to turn the other cheek applies to personal relationships, not judicial policy.

The believer in Christ is guided by Jesus’ words to forgive rather than the natural inclination to respond in kind..