The Sermon on the Mount is one of my favorite passages in Scripture. It covers such a broad range of topics, and each section packs quite the punch. One of the sections that has always stuck out to me the most, though, is Matthew 5:13-16, where Jesus says:
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
I’ve heard many different interpretations and applications of these verses, but the one that has resonated the most for me regards purpose. If salt has lost its saltiness, it has lost its purpose and offers no value. The same is true for a lamp that is hidden under a bowl. It is no longer able to fulfill its purpose and illuminate its surroundings.
As Christians, our inherent purpose in life is to bring glory to God. We know that society flourishes when it abides by the guidelines set out for us in the Bible. As a result, one of the best ways that we can bring glory to God is by being a voice for Truth in our communities.
In this edition of Family North Carolina, Adamo Manfra explains the importance of this in his article, “Voices of Persuasion: Empowering Families to Shape Our Culture.” He shows why it is so important for Christians to play an active role in the public arena, whether that be at the local level or the national stage.
For decades now, we’ve seen what can happen when Christians fail to stand up for Biblical truth. This became especially apparent to me as I wrote the article on how much of the United States has embraced and embodied a culture of death, particularly since the Vietnam War. The outrage that Americans expressed at the death and destruction involved with this war stands in stark opposition to Roe v. Wade and the legalization of abortion, despite the two happening during the same window of time. When culture deviates from Biblical values, people are always harmed.
Being the “salt and light” in our communities is critically important, and one of the best ways that we can bear witness to the Gospel is by serving those in need who are right in front of us. In her article, Brittany Farrell tells the stories of how individuals across North Carolina rose up to help after Hurricane Helene in the fall of 2024. From flying helicopters to rescue people and deliver supplies, to providing for physical needs in many other ways, Christians were very visibly the hands and feet of Jesus during this time.
I pray that the articles in this issue of Family North Carolina are a blessing to you, and that you will be encouraged to continue to be the salt and light in your communities.
AnnaScott Cross is the Communications Director for the North Carolina Family Policy Council and is Editor of Family North Carolina.