“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:13-16

The salt Jesus is talking about is that preservative that fights corruption – the corruption of sin. And the light He is talking about is that God given exposure to the truth as God defines it. It alone can drive away darkness. Mystery Babylon cannot stand either. Her spirit thrives in darkness and she is full of corruption. If we would follow Jesus we must be salt and light in our time. One thing about salt – you always know it is there! There is no hiding it. And light always exposes darkness for what it is. 

John sees the false church at the end of time, arrayed in great pomp and splendor but, compromised with the world and riding the very ‘beast’ that is trying to destroy God, His Son, and His people! She is drunk with the blood of saints and martyrs of Jesus. John, who saw the current Church come forth anointed with the Holy Spirit, is amazed as he looks on what it has become. She has a “form of religion but denies the power thereof” – 1 Tim. 3:5. What is the power she denies?

1. Is it the “preaching of the cross” which is the power of God – 1 Corinthians 1:18?
2. Or is it the “power of the Holy Ghost” which gives signs and wonders – Romans 15:19?
3. Or is it “the word of truth” which is the power of God – 2 Corinthians 6:7?

I believe it is all of these.

Preaching of the cross:

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18

There are many who profess Christianity but who do not live Christianity. They are like Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton who put on Christianity like a campaign button to buy votes but they easily remove it when the cost is too high. Their talk and actions do not fit with a biblical Christian lifestyle. They will not pay the price of suffering for the faith. They are like chameleons who change colors to fit the situation. I highlight these two because they are so visible now, but they have a host of fellow-travelers.

Power of the Holy Ghost:

“Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” – Romans 15:19

Many today try to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom armed only with human intellect – but it is not the full gospel Paul is speaking about. He is speaking about the gifting of the Holy Spirit which he explains in 1 Corinthians 12.

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:”

Paul relied on all the gifts of the Spirit to fully preach the Gospel of Christ and he exhorts us to follow his example –

“For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me.” – 1 Corinthians 4:15, 16

The Church today needs all the power of the Holy Spirit to “fully preach the gospel of Christ” ! And America needs the gospel of Christ to return to its God given calling as a nation! It will not happen by some egotistical politician boldly proclaiming “I’m going to make America great again!” That will be about as effective as the ‘sons of Sceva’ trying to cast out a demon in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches. The results will be disaster!

“And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” – Acts 19:15,16

Word of truth:

“By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left” – 2 Corinthians 6:7

Today, we find ourselves in the condition Isaiah prophesied about –

“Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off; For truth is fallen in the street, And equity cannot enter. So truth fails, And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.” – Isaiah 59:14,15

The media, who are supposed to be purveyors of truth, use half-truths and innuendo to promote their agenda. Politicians and marketers do the same. Most of those running for political office treat truth as silly-putty to be shaped to their benefit. Donald Trump and Marco Rubio denigrate Ted Cruise accusing him of being a liar when an honest look at the facts prove Cruise to be honest and both of them of being liars. Hillary Clinton is so blatant a liar that even Democrats have to admit it!

Many Christians only want to listen to truth that makes them comfortable. If a church leader preaches too much about sin, they will leave and find another church that will sooth their consciences. Sadly, they will find that they cannot do this with the true Church of Jesus Christ.

As Jesus said, “The fields are white unto harvest” and the time of His return is near. It is time to cast off the spirit of mystery Babylon in our midst and to rise up, armed with the power of the full gospel of Christ. Let us be salt to preserve the Truth God has given us and to stand against all corruption of it. Let us be light to expose all those who would make merchandise of us showing them for what they are.