Matthew 5:14-16 – Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a 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.
This specific passage I have used in two other posts. The reason I have done two other posts, and now this one, is that this passage doesn’t just speak about being salt and being a light. But also, being a city that is set on a hill. A city that is set on the hill can never be hidden. We, as children of God, need to understand that throughout our lives we are called to be on the hill. You may think this is not so. But someone that is supposed to give salt to the Earth, to make people thirsty for Christ, and to follow Him will be someone that cannot be living in secret. In addition to this, anyone that is a light will always be visible and seen at all times.
When we are on the hill this does not just mean that we are a salt or light. This shows us that we, at all times in our life, will always be visible to all. We will always be observed in all we do. I know in our generation we have grown up with many people always saying they are Christians and because of this not too many of us understand ‘being on a hill.’ This has backfired for this generation because since all say they are Christians, none of them are used to taking harsh truth of the Word of God. Since they believe they are Christians, and almost everyone they meet says they are too, they act as the world and are not used to getting scrutiny for what the Word of God tells us to do, and when they are scrutinized they respond back negatively towards you.
I would like to just put a short explanation here as well from the perspective of the one on the hill – when someone is on the hill, that person is a watch person. That person is able to see far away, he will be able to see if a battle is coming, he will be able to see when a war is at hand, he will see what is wrong surrounding that hill to a far distance, he will be able to see ditches and holes that men can fall in. He will see where temptation lies at. He can see the traps set up. This is why, when we are on the hill, we are also called to be salt and be the light to tell others around us that if they do not change in what they are doing that is wrong, it can also lead them astray, off the righteous path of Christ. Let us not ignore the warnings of people that are on the hill, for they can see much more than many others, they can see our potential to stumble and fall.
Many are not used to hearing they are doing something wrong or hearing, “Christians should not do this, I thought you were a Christian.” We have become numb to the truth because we have conformed more to the world rather than them conforming to Christ. This has made us believe that much of what is sin or wrong in front of Christ is right. When you speak with Christians that are older or have lived in countries that may not be dominated with Christians, they will tell you that anytime some one that was a Christian made a mistake that the people there would tell them that they are Christians and shouldn’t do what they did. They were always beings observed and watched by all. There was always some type of consequence for their actions. We have been blessed in the United States, but this has allowed many to become numb and to not understand that we are also on a hill.
When our God called us to be salt and light, we were automatically called to be on a hill that will be watched by all and judged by all. Everything that we do, at all times, will be inspected. The way you and I speak, act, dress, do our hair, drive, and many other actions will be on a hill for all to see and observe what we are doing. This is why it is so important to allow the Holy Spirit to be in control of our lives for Spirit of God is power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). Self-control to make sure that at all times we do what we must to make sure that when we are on the hill that we live right in front of God and follow the commands set for us to make sure we are the salt and light that we must be.
Mark 14:66-72 – While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by.When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.”Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
In the passage above, we see that Peter himself denied Christ. But the reason this happened was because he was seen with Christ, who was on a hill; all were watching Christ, all were inspecting what He did, at all times. When you are even just around the people which are on the hill, you automatically are observed. If you go to a church, you must realize that the church itself, with all who attend, are on the hill and being observed by the world.
Just as Peter was with Christ In the end, after denying Christ three times, he broke down and wept for what he had done. Because he remembered that the Lord told him it would happen. Here is the thing: we have the Word of God and the Spirit of God dwells in us, we know many times what is wrong but we deny what is right and start accepting what the world says is right. It’s because we are filled with fear and we want to fit in. Being on the hill is difficult and brings much stress in your life as we try to be in control of our actions at all times. But if we do not stand firm in what Christ has given, then the name of Christ, and being called a child of God, will be soiled with bad reputation and words which is just like being dragged through the dirt.
This is why today, we hear so many people talking bad about Christians and many leave the faith or do not want to join the faith because the people that call themselves Christians do not act, dress, or speak as they should and that salt and light it no longer there.
Matthew 12:9-10 – Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
We see here, as well, that Christ was always being watched; everything He did was under scrutiny. This is a passage that speaks about Him healing on the sabbath. Many times we assume that we are not always being watched, but it is just like a child in your home, they always hear and see everything you do even when it seems as if they are not looking at you or listening to what you say. In a few hours or days they will do what you did or say what you said and then you realize that they were watching and listening..
This is the same as being a child of God; no matter what, at the end of the day, someone is always looking, observing, and watching what you are doing. You and I are on the hill for all to observe and watch. We must become more observant of our surroundings and our lives, to make sure it is with the Word of God and to make sure we do what is right in front of God, be true ambassadors for Christ in our lives.
You and I are always being looked at from all directions, let’s make sure we are true children of God living in the light and truth, at all times, for we are His ambassadors.
God Bless You