Influence of Christian Character.
I. Christians such Christians as those to whom the Beatitudes of the previous verses belong are called to be, and will be, the "salt of the earth," and they are exhorted not to let "the salt" lose its savour. Two things seem to be involved in these words: (1) Salt gives relish to what would otherwise be tasteless or unpleasant; and Christ's people are, if we may so speak, the relishing element in the world, which prevents it from being loathsome altogether to the Lord; (2) salt is a preserving agent, arresting the natural tendency to corruption. Christ's people are called to this duty; they are to be the salt of the earth; let them take heed to fulfil their high calling. People we hear often sorrowfully complaining that the world is waxing worse and worse. Let those who complain of it bethink them whether they are playing their part as salt to check this corruption.
II. The second aspect under which the Christian influence is presented here is, Believers are to be the light of the world. This figure carries the matter into a somewhat higher region. Salt makes the world endurable, bad as it is. Salt also prevents it from becoming still worse. But light quickens life; light shows the way of God, and leads into it; light at once develops and exhibits all the beauty of earth; light helps us to fellowship one with another; light awakens the voice of adoration and praise. (1) The Christian must be a light-bearer. He who brings the lamp is not himself a light, yet he brings light; and every man of God has it laid on him to do something in this way. (2) It is implied here that Christians are to be light-givers as well as light-bearers. To be a proper light-bearer, one must also be a true light-giver. For one soul saved by Christian precept, you shall find twenty saved by Christian example. The greatest sermon one can preach is the silent sermon of a true and pious life.
W. C. Smith, The Sermon on the Mount,p. 37.
References: Matthew 5:13. Preacher's Monthly,vol. x., p. 28; J. G. Greenhough, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxi., p. 263; G. W. McCree, Ibid.,p. 365; A. Jessopp, Norwich School Sermons,p. 54.Matthew 5:13-15. H. W. Beecher, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xvii., p. 202.Matthew 5:13-16. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. i., p. 18; Parker, Inner Life of Christ,vol. i., p. 158; J. Oswald Dykes, The Manifesto of the King,p. 181.