Salt and Light

Matthew 5:13-16

"You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14You are the light of the world--like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. 15Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. 16In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."

Jesus values inclusion.

One of the key questions to ask yourself routinely is, "Do I include people? Am I a welcoming person?" If not, we are doing the exact opposite of what Christ instructed us to do. We are to be a LIGHT to show people Christ so they can be INCLUDED in His family.

Ephesians 2:1-10

"1Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. 2You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God's anger just like everyone else.

4But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, 5that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's special favor that you have been saved!) 6For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms--all because we are one with Christ Jesus. 7And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus.

8God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

Jesus included all the people that the "religious leaders" and the rest of society didn't. (Lepers, women, Samaritans, prostitutes, tax collectors, etc.)

Are you an Includer?

Suggested reading:

Jesus in the Margins, by Rick McKinley

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1590523873/103-4650402-9111802?v=glance&n=283155