Salt and Light...how I see it.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16

Ironically, the two prominent Christian personalities, Thio Li Ann and Kong Hee, that have talked about salt and light in the public space have been rather controversial figures. Not that controversial people are necessary good or bad.

Others have written essays and long articles about salt and light but to me, it really quite simple. Salt represents intelligence, a critical mind and the purity of Jesus Christ in your heart and deeds. Light represent evangelism, sharing the Gospel to those around you, first in deed and behaviour of oneself and subsequently in fervent self-study and sharing of the Holy Scriptures.

What is salt? And how does one forever remember the taste of salt?
A mind, if well-schooled (in secular and theological knowledge) and trained to think critically, will not lose the taste of salt. And if you don't acquire the taste of salt, then you will be, as the Bible says, thrown out and trampled upon.

When a pack of wolves attacks a deer and devours it, is it good or bad? In the first instance, some might think that the act isn't so "good" as the deer is tormented and eventually dies horribly. Some might even think that the pack of wolves are evil. Yet, this type of somewhat "cruel" behaviour are everyday occurences in the animal kingdom. Our God and Creator of this Universe, has designed this amazing ecosystem that behind seemingly cruel acts conceal His divine intentions. That the wolves are hunting for their own survival and the deers would over a long period of time develop better evading skills (yes, theory of evolution, please don't get started on Religion and Evolution).

So, when something happens to a Christian personality or Christian organisation (like CHC and Kong Hee) and an issue confronts the Christian community (like AWARE or Casino), think critically and not blindly follow what others say or do. Do not be easily swayed by seemingly convincing arguments, read and research intensively, find out both sides of the arguments and come to your findings and conclusion.

Do not take pride in your conclusion or argument, be open to criticisms and amendments to what you first believe. Do not shun disagreements, for it is only with them that one may improve and hone the mind (of course, be nice when disagreeing). It is so that notions can become convictions. It is so that we can be the salt of God's Kingdom.