Mentalities for the 21st Century - reprint from Oct 12, 1998

The world is in crisis. At all levels and in all countries, there is turmoil. The strong, industrialized nations are reeling under the weight of their international political and economic scandals. In the less developed countries, scarce resources are spread thinly across necessary social services. Natural disasters-hurricanes, floods and volcanoes place a heavy burden on already stretched treasuries. Ethnic conflicts and racial wars divide nations and peoples. International terrorists, rebel forces and drug tycoons penetrate peaceful lives causing death, destruction and horror. In the midst of this turbulent world in which we live, there is the Church.

To many, the Church is nothing more than an irrelevancy, a ritual, a group of fanatics, or an annual obligation. Churches have, in fact, provided spiritual guidance and direction to their members. Additionally, they have been the expression of society's conscience; they have fed the poor, housed the homeless, cared for the sick and elderly, and educated the young.

However, God expects more from His people. The Creator had a different concept in mind. The Church, the body of individuals committed to fulfilling God's purpose in the earth, was commanded to be salt and light. Matthew 5:13-16.

Salt is a preservative, a protector and an enhancer. Prior to the introduction of antibiotics, salt was applied to wounds to prevent poisons from invading living cells, thus preventing loss of limb and life. Salt is a barrier to foreign matter and creates an environment hostile to toxins. Salt is also necessary for cells to maintain the required balance of chemical charges. A deficiency results in a lethargic, weak and tired body. Also, when used to preserve food, salt combats the bacteria which produce decay and make food unfit for human consumption. As an enhancer, salt brings out the flavor in the food, combating blandness, and adding zest and taste.

The Church, as the Salt of the earth, is expected to have similar results when effectively applied. The people of God are to protect against the toxins and organisms which can destroy human life. Our presence is to enhance the quality of life bringing balance and energy, flavor and zest.

Light dispels darkness and the uncertainty, evil and fear that come with it. It reveals the hidden and unseen things which may trip and trap the unwary. Light brings clarity, provides brightness and generates heat.

The Church's role as the Light of the world is not to be limited to dispelling spiritual darkness and evil. There is darkness and lack of clarity in the physical and intellectual worlds, the economic and political worlds, the social and technological worlds. In short, darkness exists in all systems where there is confusion, ignorance, folly, deception, greed and misplaced priorities. God's people and principles are intended to illuminate all these world systems.

Both salt and light gain their value from their functions as well as their position. Salt has to be “in” a substance or matter in order to preserve and enhance. The Church as Salt must, therefore, penetrate the dense network of human activity. God's people cannot attempt to preserve segments of life through social, educational and health services and neglect other areas of human endeavor.
In addition, for light to be most visible, it must be displayed prominently. Similarly, the Church has to be at the center of all operations of the world, switched on and positioned like a city set on a hill, so that its illumination is unhindered and undistorted.

Government, businesses, families and communities all combine to create a network of circumstances which may result in employment or unemployment, wealth or poverty, peace or social unrest, health or sickness. However, traditional religious efforts tend to be focused on the negative end-products of human activity, as opposed to the core - the philosophies and systems of thinking which generate the lifestyles of the earth.

At this dawn of a new era, the earth is on a path of continuous change. Never before has so much in so short a space of time. As the systems of life are changing, the Salt and Light have become more important than before. Each new position brings new bacteria, new pollutants and new toxins to be counteracted and new deceptions and camouflages to be exposed.

To fulfill the mandate effectively, the people of God must enter arenas and platforms which traditionally may not have been associated with the Church. Indeed, it is only through a highly visible presence in the commercial, academic, social, political, and other worlds, that the true work of the Salt and the full impact of the Light will be realized.

This involvement must go beyond mere religious works. God's people must manifest balanced, enhanced, and accurate lifestyles. But before we can implement the rule and government of God in the systems of life, we must ensure that God is sovereign in our individual lives. Our internal character must be purified and spiritually polished. Our every thought and action must be empowered by the Holy Ghost and aimed at bringing glory to God.

In the midst of global economic turmoil - banking failures, stock market crashes, and crippling debt burdens, there is need for crisis intervention. The wisdom of this world has not brought us any closer to a state of equity and balance and thus the empowered Church must inject new wisdom to guide nations and economies.

As we advance into the next millennium, there is a need for intelligent analysis and dialogue on fundamental issues. The Word of God is a manual for all areas of life. As the Holy Ghost gives revelation, it is for the Church to apply this wisdom to building the accurate mentalities for enhanced lifestyles as we transit into the 21st century.