We must never divide brethren over politics. Yet, Christians are to be both Salt and Light in politics and in every other corner of life. How can we be godly people and exercise Jesus’ desire that we be salt and light in politics? Is it possible to be godly and political at the same time?
The Nature of Salt and Light
Jesus uses salt and light to describe his followers (Matthew 5:13-16). The physical properties of salt are often, namely, that salt is a preservative and a flavor enhancer. When applied to our culture it both preserves it against decay (think salt pork) and improves the culture itself (think salt on fries).
God has Moses write of the “salt of the covenant,” which must not be absent from grain offerings (Leviticus 2:13). And, in Isaiah 42:6, God says, “I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations.” Both give us a strong link far beyond the mere physical qualities of salt and light.
While salt does preserve food , it was also an important part of the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. Jesus was speaking to Jews who would understand that linkage. They were God’s people.
In that role, they had a task. They were, in this new covenant to be a light “to the nations” (Isaiah 42:6). While does prevent us from falling over the dog at 3 AM, it is used here to underscore their role as examples and teachers of God’s covenantal work in Christ.
Salt speaks to the covenant; light speaks to the task done by those in the covenant.[1]
The Nature of Politics
Political processes vary from nation to nation and from time to time. In Jesus’ day citizens had little or no influence on government. The average Jew was ruled over by King Herod and his sons, the Sanhedrin, and the Roman Senate and Emperor. For the common man, there was no voting, no public campaigning, and no election.[2]
Because Jesus and His first followers were Jews and, therefore, citizens of a conquered nation, they had no power in the political process. There were still quasi-political movements like the Zealots but there was no truly organized political process that Jesus and His disciples could use. This could be the reason there is so little said about politics generally in the New Testament.
Despite the inability to participate, there was still the command “to be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1). When the election does not end as we prefer, we still are responsible to respect those in authority.
Salt and Light in Politics Today
But just because Jesus did not vote in a primary or general election does not mean there are no guidelines for his followers today. A future article will point to those guidelines that are terribly needed in our nation today.
[1] Smothers, C. J. (2024). Salt And Light: A Canonical Reading Of Matthew 5:13–16 And Isaiah 42:6 . Journal Of The Evangelical Theological Society, 239-250.
[2] There was voting as early as 139 BC in Athens, Greece but it was limited to free, male citizens only.
