Question: I’ve been reading Matthew 5:13-16 and 2 Peter 1:5-7. Could you help me understand how ...

Question: I’ve been reading Matthew:5:13-16 [13] Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. [14] Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. [15] Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
See All... and 2 Peter:1:5-7 [5] And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; [7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
See All.... Could you help me understand how these verses tie together?

Response: Matthew:5:13-16 [13] Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. [14] Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. [15] Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
See All... tells us that we are the “salt of the earth” and therefore must walk in a manner that will keep us from spoiling the effectiveness of that salt as we are witnesses to those around us. Salt is used both to purify and preserve. If it is spoiled (loses its savor), it’s good for neither purpose.

Second Peter 1:5-7 is part of the equation by which we keep ourselves from ruining our value as salt on the earth. It tells us, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Incorporated into all of this, 2 Timothy:2:15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
See All... tells us that one must “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

All of these work together to show us that our lives as Christians are not designed to be static. We are to continually grow in our relationship with the Lord and in His Word. As a consequence of this, we will be strengthened in our walk and in our testimony to the world. If these areas of our lives are made stronger, we are less likely to lose our value as the “salt of the earth.”