Salt and Light

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its
saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown
out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set
on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a
basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way,
let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and
give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13–16 ESV).

In a recent interview NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman acknowledged that
the league may drop its “Pride Night” after the current season. On certain
nights in pregame warmups, the teams donned rainbow-colored jerseys as a
way of showing support to the LGBTQ community. Some players, however,
refused to wear them because it would violate their religious beliefs. Ivan
Provorov, a defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers, was the first player to
refuse. When asked by the media why he didn’t wear the jersey Provorov said
that he “must stay true to myself and my religion.”

This story illustrates the principle that Jesus articulated in the Sermon on the
Mount, that Christians are to be salt and light. Why? Well for one reason, to
influence the surrounding culture in a positive way.

Christians must separate themselves from the godless culture around them,
but that doesn’t mean we can ignore the culture. We cannot live in a bubble in
a vain attempt to insulate ourselves. It’s foolish to think that if we just ignore
the culture then it will leave us alone. Not true. Sooner or later, it will invade
our space. In the workplace or the classroom, in our neighborhoods and in
our social sphere, we will eventually be propositioned to participate in some
activity that will show support and solidarity with something that we know
goes against biblical teaching.

There have been similar cases in recent years of people who refused to bend
the knee to the culture on religious grounds. Citing their deeply held beliefs
and not wanting to act against their consciences, they have staunchly
opposed any imposition by the world against their faith in the face of blistering
criticism. As a consequence, some of these folks have lost their jobs, had
their bank accounts frozen, faced litigation, and been canceled on social
media.

It’s in these moments that we must stand up for what we believe and in a kind
and respectful way explain why we cannot join in. We must do so even
though we may suffer real consequences that hurt us physically, emotionally,
financially, and socially.

Jesus said we must be what we are—salt and light.
– Kurt Paquette