From this it should be clear that Jesus is building His Church as an agent of change, an epicenter of transformation to reflect the good purposes and character of the Lord in a world of unbelief and sin.

But let’s not miss the three primary metaphors Jesus used to suggest how churches bring about the kinds of spiritual, moral, and cultural changes that turn their world rightside-up for Jesus. We do not serve as agents of change by wielding the sword of battle or stuffing the ballot boxes of our favorite politicians, at least, not in the first instance.

The Church changes its society by serving as light, salt, and leaven.

Light of the world

As light, church members are sent into the dark world of their Personal Mission Fields to emit a constant glow of glory, which they gain from the Lord in their times of prayer and study in the Spirit (2 Cor. 3.12-18). As Christians sanctify Christ as Lord in their hearts, they become filled with hope, characterized by peace and joy, and eager and enabled for every good work (1 Pet. 3.15; 2 Tim. 3.15-17). Such a steady, warm, glow of divine light – in all our words and deeds – cannot help but attract those we serve to the very Source of such light, even Him Who is the Light of the World.

Is this what’s happening in your life? If not, talk with a church leader right away, and ask him or her to help you realize more of the light of Christ, growing in you and glowing through you every day.

Salt of the earth

As salt, church members resist everything that tends to corruption and decay, preserving all that is wholesome and good against all that threatens to undermine or destroy it. They also, as living sacrifices to the Lord (Rom. 12.1, 2), “salt” the presence of God’s gracious covenant into a lost and confused world. And, by their everyday lives and conversations, they create a thirst for the Lord and His promises on the part of those who know them.

Thus church members speak out against the lies and half-truths of an age that rejects the truth of God. They refuse to participate in the works of darkness that corrupt the hearts of men. They maintain a constant self-watch against any sin settling into their own souls, and they exhort and admonish one another against any sinful or corrupting practices. And they live to the fullest all the precious and very great promises of God, which they realize increasingly through our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1.4; 2 Cor. 1.20).

Leaven of grace and truth

As leaven, church members do not hold back in seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, simply because they are few in number or small in significance. They recognize that every step of faith, every deed of love, every word of truth done or spoken in faith has the potential to touch a needy soul with the reality and love of Jesus Christ.

They also know that vast multitudes of angels stand ready to assist them, that the Holy Spirit of God dwells in them, and that nothing they might undertake in Jesus’ Name will be impossible for them. So they work gradually, steadily, step by step, bit by bit, and little by little, making Kingdom progress in often infinitesimal ways as they faithfully follow Him Who has called them to be agents of change.

The first believers understood this high and holy calling. They turned their world upside-down by living for and proclaiming Christ and His righteousness (Acts 17.1-9). We are not their true spiritual heirs unless this is our aspiration as well.

No church must be content until its members are fully equipped and deployed for righteousness’ sake, living as light, salt, and leaven to turn their communities and world right-side up for Jesus Christ.

Next steps

Does your church have a plan for increasing righteousness in your community? Ask a pastor or church leader about this. Offer to help wherever you can.

Additional Resources

Download this week’s study, Christ’s Vision for the Church.

Sign up for ViewPoint Leaders Training and start your own ViewPoint discussion group.

The Church is the flash point for revival, but only if we prepare for it as we should. Order a copy of T. M.’s book, Preparing Your Church for Revival, from our online store.

And men, download our free brief paper, “Men of the Church: A Solemn Warning,” by clicking here.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.