OPINION:
In an age where division and anxiety have become the norm, many of us find ourselves desperately searching for hope. We see the world around us growing increasingly polarized, and it can be tempting to place our trust in political leaders, social movements, or the promises of this earthly kingdom to bring the peace and security we crave.
But as followers of Jesus, we know that our hope is not found in these temporary things. As 1 Peter 1:3 reminds us, we have been “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” This living hope is not anchored in the shifting tides of human systems but in the eternal and unshakable reality of Christ’s victory over sin and death.
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The challenge for us today is to live out this hope in a culture that is deeply anxious, divided and often hostile. What does it mean to be the “light of the world” and the “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13-14) when everything around us feels so unstable? And how do we avoid the pitfalls of relying on politics or other earthly kingdoms for our sense of security?
The temptation to rely on politics
In our current climate, it’s easy to see how many have placed their hopes in political leaders or movements, believing that if the right party or person holds power, all will be well. But history has shown us time and time again that no earthly leader can bring lasting peace, justice, or unity. Political solutions, while important, are always incomplete, and the systems of this world are marked by imperfection. When we anchor our hope in politics, we are bound to be disappointed.
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As Christians, we are called to engage with the world, including its political systems, but our ultimate hope cannot rest there. Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:20 that “our citizenship is in heaven.” Our true King is Jesus, and His kingdom is eternal. When we forget this, we risk becoming just another voice in the chorus of division and fear, rather than the bearers of the living hope that transcends this world.
The right kind of light and salt
Jesus calls us to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth, but it’s important to remember that light and salt can either enhance or overwhelm, depending on how they are used. Light that is too bright can blind, causing discomfort rather than guidance. Salt that is too strong can make food unpalatable, driving people away rather than drawing them in. In the same way, when Christians engage the culture with an aggressive or overwhelming intensity, we can end up pushing people further away from the hope we are trying to share.
When we wield our faith like a blinding spotlight — overpowering others with our opinions, political views, or judgments — we risk alienating the very people we are called to love and serve. Similarly, when we become too “salty,” insisting on our way or our truth in every situation, we can leave a bad taste in people’s mouths, turning them off to the message of the gospel.
But light, when it is just right, doesn’t call attention to itself — it simply illuminates the space, allowing others to see clearly and find their way. Salt, when used properly, enhances the flavor of food, making it more enjoyable without drawing attention to itself. As Christians, when we live out the hope we have in Jesus in a humble, loving, and gracious way, we don’t need to dominate the conversation or demand the spotlight. Instead, we simply let the presence of Christ in us shine, illuminating the world around us in ways that bring peace, clarity, and hope.
When light and salt are absent
On the other hand, when light is absent, people stumble. In the absence of hope, fear and division flourish. And when salt is missing, food is bland — lacking flavor and vitality. In the same way, when Christians withdraw from the culture, failing to live out the hope we have in Jesus, the world suffers. We are called to be a quiet, steady presence — bringing the light of Christ into dark places and enhancing the goodness around us with the love and truth of the gospel.
In a culture as divided as ours, this doesn’t mean withdrawing from tough conversations or compromising our beliefs. Rather, it means engaging in a way that draws others in, rather than repelling them. It means being willing to listen, understand, and offer the hope of Christ in ways that are gentle, respectful, and full of grace.
Living out our true citizenship
When we live in the living hope of Jesus, we can stop relying on the fragile systems of this world to give us peace. We are freed from the anxiety that comes from trying to control outcomes or align ourselves with the “appropriate” side. Our citizenship in heaven gives us security that no political leader or earthly power can provide, and it allows us to engage with the world from a place of peace rather than fear.
This doesn’t mean we disengage from society or stop caring about justice, truth, or governance. On the contrary, it means we engage more fully — offering the light and salt of Christ in ways that bring healing rather than harm. But we do so knowing that our ultimate hope does not rest in any earthly kingdom. We are part of an eternal kingdom, and our mission is to reflect that hope in how we live, love, and serve.
When Christians live out this living hope, we become agents of reconciliation and peacemakers in a divided world. Our presence, like well-balanced light and salt, brings out the best in others and enhances the world around us. We don’t need to demand attention or overwhelm others with our beliefs — we simply let the hope of Christ shine through us, offering peace, grace, and truth in a way that points others to Him.
A Living Hope for a Divided World
In this anxious and divided culture, the living hope we have in Jesus is more needed than ever. But to be effective, we must learn to be the right kind of light and salt — bringing clarity, peace, and flavor to a world that desperately needs hope. When we stop relying on politics and earthly kingdoms for our sense of security, and instead live out our true citizenship in heaven, we can be the kind of presence that draws others to Christ.
May we be the light that gently illuminates the way — and the salt that enhances the goodness around us — always pointing to the living hope we have in Jesus Christ.
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Dirk Smith is the Vice President of EEM (Eastern European Mission), which has been delivering God’s Word to the people of Eastern Europe since 1961. Today, EEM publishes and prints Bibles and New Testaments as well as Teen Bibles, Children’s Bibles and coloring books, distributing them through a vast network of partner churches and organizations reaching 35+ countries in 25+ different languages.
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