“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.” Like many of you, I remember learning that song as a little kid in Sunday School. The eagerness with which I would lift up my finger and boldly declare my desire to let my light shine is a defining moment in childhood faith. It is a faith that is raw and inexperienced, a faith that is quick to trust and eager to believe. It all seemed so simple back then. I had a light within me, and there was one within you as well, the light of Christ, the light of God’s love, and I was eager to let it shine out before the world, to let them see the blessing of the light. Who in their right mind would want to hide it under a bushel, or who could ever imagine allowing Satan to blow it out? No, I was going to let it shine bold and true. After all, that was who I was. I was a light bearer of Christ. What else could I do?

But if you grew up in the Church as I did, you eventually learn the lessons that those who come to faith later in life are well acquainted with. That is, simple childhood faith does not weather the storms of life’s hardships and pain. The boldness of the desire to let your light shine begins to fade over time. In fact, we begin to hide the light, to keep it for ourselves, to avoid the scrutiny of the difficulties of our age, especially when we fall into the temptations of sin. When our private sins become public ones, we are reluctant to let that light shine.

Sam was a guy I met years ago. He grew up in the Church and sang those same songs of assurance and boldness, but when he went away to college, he left his faith behind. Not that he rejected God or denied his faith in Christ, per se, but he no longer practiced it, no longer cared for who he was in Jesus. He leaned hard into the spirit of this age and the desires of the flesh. He slept around with no care for the women he met, lived the life of a hedonist, only seeking his own pleasure, and only stopping by a church when he came home to visit his parents. And then, it was only as a sense of duty. When Sam finally made it to my office, you could tell he did not want to be there. He was nervously shaking and would not look me in the eyes. He was longing for a change, sick of the emptiness in his life, but no longer knew who he was, at least who he was before God.

Sam confessed his sins. In tears, he spoke of the regrets and harm he had done for many years. And I forgave him. I spoke the words of our Lord’s absolution and declared, “You are free, go in peace,” but he did not go in peace. Sure, he heard what I said, but how was he supposed to carry on his life? Who was he supposed to be? He could not just go back to being that innocent child singing silly songs in Sunday School. That time had passed. He knew too much about himself, too much about the dark corners of our world. He had new addictions to overcome and a complete sense of unworthiness which haunted him.

Today, we hear our Lord speak of an identity that we may find difficult to believe. Looking at His disciples gathered around Him, He says, “You are the salt of the earth.” Salt has the power to preserve. Since the fall into sin, life on earth changed. The ground itself was cursed, human relationships were fractured, and death entered the scene. In Christ, there was promise and hope that stretched beyond the gulf between man and God. In Christ, there was a new way to live, a way that preserved God’s original plan. The followers of Jesus would establish new communities that would be places of refuge for the weary, comfort for the suffering, and justice for the defenseless and poor. This is who you are: You are the salt of the earth. In this fellowship, you preserve a remnant, a vision of God’s plan for His people.

But Jesus does not stop there. He says, “You are the light of the world.” His disciples will not only preserve the earth until its recreation, but they will also light the way. Their actions toward one another and their words confessing their faith will reveal the grace of God to the nations. For our Lord goes on to say, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.” Jesus Christ is the true light that has come into the world, and the darkness has not overcome it, but now you are bearers of that light. His love flows through you. His mercy is present in your life. You have a role to play in this age. Your actions matter to your neighbors, your friends, and your family. As the people of God, as children of the Almighty, you are salt and light, so be salt and let your light shine!

Our Lord speaks of a truth about your identity that you may find it difficult to accept. After all, you know full well the laws and commands of God. They are commands you have not kept. Like Sam, you know your failure with regard to lust and desire. You know the constant tug of pornography and the lure of hedonism. You know what it is to take hold of the good things of God’s creation and twist them into perverted idols of your own making. Whether it is food or alcohol, financial security or reputation, you cease to fear, love, and trust in God above all things. How can you possibly be salt and light when you fail with regard to the Law of God? But your identity in Christ is not by what you have accomplished but because of what He has done. He says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” They are fulfilled, completed for you in Christ. So, His declaration of who you are stands true.

You stand then before your Lord, having heard that you are salt and light, not by work but by faith in Christ. And because of your sin, because of your failure to keep the Law, you doubt what He has said. And just as you begin to look to the Law to make it right, He shocks you by saying, “I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” Now, the scribes and Pharisees dedicated their lives to understanding and keeping the Law. Are you going to surpass them? Can you be sure you will enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Yes! Yes, indeed, for your righteousness is the righteousness you have received in Christ. Into His name you have been baptized, you have been crucified with Him, and so now live in Him. You are the salt of the world, you are the light that leads this age, for you are the forgiven, blessed, and righteous saints of God.

So, perhaps it is time to recall the songs of our Sunday School days, to stand boldly in the declarations of our Lord. You are the light of the world, and it is time to let it shine.