What difference are we Christians making in the world? Jesus called his followers the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Whatever else salt and light have in common, they both change their surroundings. So did the first believers.
Luke tells us that Paul's preaching about Jesus disrupted and devalued the idol trade in Ephesus by lowering the demand. Demetrius, a silversmith who made money selling idols, saw the effect of Christianity on his bottom line. Not only was he losing sales but Artemis, the patron goddess was losing face.
In a provocative book, Larry Hurtado called Christians "destroyers of the gods." As Christ's renown grew in ancient cultures, the need for idols went away. The gospel still works. As God transforms us through the message about Jesus, we can become agents of change in the world, like salt and light. So, shake and shine! Let the world see your good deeds and glorify our Father.
