Jesus began his Sermon on the Mount with a pronouncement of blessings and ethical responsibilities that belong to those who will make up his church, the citizens of his kingdom. In the next section Jesus uses the metaphors of salt and light to paint a picture of what his church is to be in this world.

By using salt and light as metaphors for his church, Jesus is making the point that the presence of his people will make an actual difference in the world. Just as salt and light have a visible presence and create real change, so too will the church in a fallen world. Jesus’ reference to the church’s “good deeds” should be understood as another way to describe holiness. The holiness of the church will create a hunger among many to know and give glory to the God who saves sinners.

Exposure to holiness has always and will continue to cause many to curse God and retreat deeper into the darkness. However, many others will see the church’s good deeds and be drawn powerfully to the Lord by the beauty of his holiness reflected in the church. Holiness matters because we honor the Lord by our growing conformity to Christ. But holiness also matters because it puts on display the beauty of God’s own holiness to the sin-weary. Holiness is indispensable to the church’s witness.