Habits of the Heart and Mind: They should see and taste our spirituality

Jesus clearly intended his followers to be the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). So, he commanded us to let our “light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14).

​Light was associated with behavior, and here specifically ones that showed God’s righteousness and love. Jesus, then, said his people “are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). Later in the same sermon, Jesus tells us to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). This gives our behavior some content, namely God's righteousness that shows his rightful rule over the affairs of humankind. In this we, as his people, his church, should shine the light of God’s justice—His righteous ways in our world as we seek to love our neighbors—by doing good, seeking the betterment of our neighbors and our city. Mae Elise Cannon wrote:

“Throughout the entire history of Christianity, holy women and men of God have shown their inner spiritual lives by active engagement in social justice in defense of the poor and oppressed” (Just Spirituality: How Faith Practices Fuel Social Action).

Our spirituality shines as we seek social justice so that our neighbors taste a little kingdom salt when God's church does good on behalf of their neighbors, seeking their good.