Instruments of Righteousness

v 13: Salt You are the salt of the earth But then if the salt should become foolish = insipid, by what means will it be made salty? Unto the goal of nothing is it capable anymore except being thrown out for the purpose of being trampled underfoot by men.

v14: Light You are the light of the Kosmos. A city is not able to be hidden, being set high on a hill Furthermore they do not light a lamp and they place it under the measuring bowl but upon the lamp stand and it lights all those in the house. In this manner shine your light before men, in order that they may see your good works and in order that they may glorify your Father in Heaven.

Utility of the Salt and Light 1.Being set apart to God does not mean disconnected from the Kosmos. 2.In fact, sanctification has the purpose of further communicating God to the world. 3.This communication preserves against the decay of sin in the community and points the way to deliverance. 4.Just as peacemakers are those who present the message of Peace with God through Christ, so salt and light are His tools to make peace.

v16: Your Light In this manner shine your light before men, in order that they may see your good works and in order that they may glorify your Father in Heaven.

Good WORKS?! Kalo~ vs. agaqo~ –Kalo~ is glossed “beautiful” and can mean in form or function. –Agaqo~ is glossed “good” and describes something (the same thing as kalo~ ) in terms of its value.

Salt, Light, and Volition 1.The point at which the analogies of salt and light break down is the volition of the hearer. 2.Jesus is telling the people to be salt and light, which suggests they must choose to obey. 3.Remember that “salt” and “light” both suggest ability for a purpose in God’s plan. 4.In the age of Israel, the Law sanctified the believer to God so that God would be presented to the world. 5.In the Church Age, the Spirit and the Word sanctify the individual believer to God and accomplish the same purpose.

The Relationship of the King to the Law

vv “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 “Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

vv “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 “For AMEN I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

The Eternal Applicability of the Word 1.The Law and Prophets are a presentation of God’s righteousness. 2.Do not think that the Mosaic Law is unrighteous. 3.We are free from the Mosaic Law because it was fulfilled in Christ. 4.Yet where the Law presents commands that directly correspond to God’s +R we have a responsibility to obey. 5.Example: Murder, Adultery, Marriage

vv Whoever THEREFORE annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; BUT Whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.