Christ stated His basic principle to His disciples: “Ye are the salt of the earth!” Matthew 5:13. His principle of love was to be infused into the hearts of the members of the family, and through them into the church, and from the church into general society. When each member of the family is happily fulfilling his loving obedient role, the happy family tends to produce a happy church through the influence they exert upon other families.

There is happiness in the church only when the principles of God’s government within the family are applied also within the church. We know there can be no harmony in the family if father, mother, or children are trying to follow their personal interests irrespective of the needs of other family members. By the same token, there cannot be a happy relationship in the church while members or member families try to pursue their own goals irrespective of the needs and positions of the wider family.

The scripture clearly states that we are to “bear one another’s burdens” and to bear long with those who may disagree with us. Yet this cannot be left interminably without correction, for internal disagreement long contained will produce a festering sore that will not be easily healed. Many a family has been seriously divided by disagreement— parents separated from each other; children separated from the parents; children separated from each other. The principle of separation is the result of the selfishness of Lucifer in heaven; he wanted something that he could not have. His pride in his beauty suggested that he was not accounted as worthy by God for a higher position.

When Lucifer began to speak of his disaffection with many other angels, he produced a situation that was seen as rebellion against the authority of God. In this situation a separation had to take place. Lucifer—Satan—and his followers had to be put without the direct orbit of heaven. If they had continued to remain, the loving atmosphere of heaven would have been destroyed. Sadly, sometimes the same principle must be played out within the confines of the family, the church family and the national family in order that peace might reign within their borders. Amos said simply: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” No two people or groups of people, in the smaller or the larger context, can remain in a harmonious relationship unless there is agreement. But how is this agreement found and nurtured?

The individual must be in harmony with himself. Many times personal instability arises because of the individual being in disagreement with himself. How can this be? There are basic things in life that we begin to learn in infancy. Unless these basics are learned and followed without mental turmoil, there will come a time when personality changes begin to take place. Unrest and discontent often come through an inability to come to terms with the difference between the standards of conduct taught within the family and those observed outside of the family. There are those who see that many in the worldly condition seem to have a lot of good things and an apparently happy life, and they think, “Why can’t I be like that?” David had a similar thought. He said, “I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.” Psalm 73:3–17. “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not; yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.” Psalm 37:35–40.

Many try to have a little of both worlds, but it does not work. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24. Jesus did not suggest that man would try to serve two masters. He stated that it is impossible to do so. But so many Christians try to do it. It just cannot be done successfully. To try and accomplish this type of dream is to follow in the steps of Satan.

“Through every age the experiment of serving two masters whose interests were divergent has been tried over and over, but the world’s Redeemer solemnly assures us, as one who knows that the experiment is utterly impracticable, that ‘no man can serve two masters.’ He has given important lessons on this matter, lessons that we neglect at the peril of our souls. We are to be intensely in earnest in regard to heavenly things. We are to watch, to pray, to wait, and to work. ‘Why,’ he asks, ‘stand ye here all the day idle?’ and adds, ‘Go work today in my vineyard.’ Work, earnest work is before us. We are to consecrate our life wholly to the service of God, and to trade diligently on our Lord’s intrusted talents. We are to permit nothing to interpose between God and us, but to look well to our soul’s eternal interest, and meet the claim that God has upon his human agents. We would inquire of those who profess the solemn truth for this time, Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? Is your heart reaching heavenward, and does your soul contemplate heavenly things? Have earthly things more attraction for you than heavenly things? If heaven is the theme of your contemplation, it will be the theme of your conversation. To him who is growing in grace and in a knowledge of the truth, the heavenly attractions become all absorbing, and he grows up into Christ, his living head. Responding to the glory of Christ, our righteousness is brought forth as the light, and our judgment as the noonday. In contemplating the matchless charms of Jesus, in realizing the light of his presence by faith, we have a foretaste of the joy of the heavenly world. He who follows on to know the Lord will know that his goings forth are prepared as the morning.” 3

“How much more may we enjoy in this life than that which we have enjoyed! In our present spiritual condition we have only a faint idea of what our life might become, of what our homes might be, if we would cultivate heavenly affections, and yield themselves wholly to the service of God. We would live in joyful communion with God. Our human affections and sympathies are not to wane away and become extinct, but through living connection with God, our love is to deepen, our interest to become more intense, our efforts more successful in promoting the happiness of those around us. Through Jesus Christ, households are to have blissful harmony and unity, and parents are to live together in peace and love, neither speaking nor thinking evil one of another. Parents and children are to be kind, forbearing, forgiving, having their hearts softened by the grace of Christ.” 4

Let it be said again: The same principles which heaven applies to the individual and to the family, apply also to the church. The wider family must follow the same principles if they are to fulfil God’s purpose for them. It is sad that there are many churches that try to apply the attitudes of the world in their business dealings. Remember, Jesus said it CANNOT be done. Well, YES it can be done, but not without losing spirituality.

This has been the sad history of Laodicea. They wanted to have the benefits (?) of the world and its business, but at what a price? Perhaps we should pause a moment here. We well recognize that the sad history of Laodicea is being played out before us. But, just a moment! Don’t we also live in the Laodicean phase of the history of the Christian church? If the hallmark of Laodicea is that she is “rich, and increased with goods” at the price of spiritual dearth, is it also possible that the wider family today might also come into that condition with subsequent loss? Does this bear thinking about? Is it possible for today’s church to be trying to serve two masters? Remember, Jesus said that it cannot be done! If it is tried, those who attempt this impossible dream will actually be serving Satan while thinking they are serving Christ. What foolishness, what loss!

The only possible answer to this dilemma is to make Christ and ALL the principles of His kingdom applicable directly to the life of the individual, to the family and to the wider family—the church.

Jesus said to His disciples, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” God’s people individually and as families and as churches are to infuse themselves among the people of the world, that their influence for good may be clearly demonstrated.

“The followers of Christ are represented by Him as the salt of the earth, and the light of the world. Without the saving influence of Christians, the world would perish in its own corruption. Look upon the class of professed Christians described, who are careless of their dress and persons, and loose in their business transactions, as their dress represents, coarse, uncourteous and rough in their manners, low in their conversation; and at the same time they regard these miserable traits as marks of true humility and Christian life. Think you if our Saviour was upon earth, He would point to them as being the salt of the earth, and the light of the world? No, never! Christians are elevated in their conversation, and although they believe it to be a sin to condescend to foolish flattery, they are courteous, kind, and benevolent. Their words are those of sincerity and truth. They are faithful in their deal with their brethren, and with the world. In their dress they avoid superfluity and display; but their clothing will be neat, not gaudy, modest, and arranged upon the person with order and taste. Especial care will be taken to dress in a manner that will show a sacred regard for the holy Sabbath, and the worship of God. The line of demarcation between such a class and the world will be too plain to be mistaken. The influence of believers would be tenfold greater if men and women who embrace the truth, who have been formerly careless and slack in their habits, would be so elevated, and sanctified through the truth, as to observe habits of neatness, order, and good taste in their dress. Our God is a God of order, and He is not in any degree pleased with distraction, with filthiness, or with sin.” 5

“If you are Christlike, your influence will work as leaven upon those connected with you. Christ declares to His followers, ‘Ye are the salt of the earth.’ But there are very many who profess to be Christians that Jesus looks upon with sadness, saying, ‘But if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted?’ How shall the world then be saved? When human effort is not combined with divine agencies, it is as salt without savor. The Saviour puts His estimate upon the Christians professors, saying, ‘It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.’ This is the description of those who profess to believe in Christ, and yet who do not imitate His virtues, His self-denial, manifest His sympathy, His goodness, His compassion and love. Their influence draws men away from Christ, because they present a false pattern to the world. They have not sanctified themselves to the service of Christ that he might make them vessels unto honor. They misrepresent the great example. Whether associated with those who believe or those who do not believe, their conversation is made up of jesting, joking, and vain, useless talk. They indulge their inclination, and live to please themselves instead of copying the Pattern. The record says, ‘For even Christ pleased not Himself.’ ” 6

There is no greater role for the Christian than to influence the church and general society for good. The example that we portray has its effects upon all those with whom we come in contact. Sadly, we would often like to have no influence at all. We might like to somehow have some type of neutrality, a situation where our influence is neither negative nor positive. This is part of the impossible dream. The apostle Paul says that we can be a savor unto life or a savor unto death. In truth we can be both. When we conscientiously influence others for good we can at the same time see those who reject the good influence ending up in a negative position. By their own choice they reject life when they reject the good influence. But our part is to provide the good influence. If not, then we ourselves become a savor unto death.

“Frivolity, selfish indulgence, and careless indifference on the part of professed Christians are turning away many souls from the path of life. Many there are who will fear to meet at the bar of God the results of their influence.” 7

Our influence in the wider family can be very positive. “If by our example we aid others in the development of good principles, we give them power to do good. In their turn they exert the same influence upon others, and they upon still others. Thus by our unconscious influence thousands may be blessed.” 8

Paul speaking to Titus says, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:13, 14.

Our Saviour wants to purify unto Himself a peculiar people, individually and collectively as families and churches so that they might be truly influencing society. This work must begin in the family.

“[Parents] should set a right example before their children, and although the example of professed followers of Christ causes the children to think that their parents are too careful and severe in their restrictions, yet God will bless the efforts of these conscientious parents. If parents do not take a decided, firm course, their children will be borne down with the current, for Satan and his evil angels are working upon their minds, and the example of unconsecrated professors makes the work of overcoming far more laborious for them. Yet with faith in God and earnest prayer, believing parents should press on in the rugged path of duty. The way of the cross is an onward, upward way. And as we advance therein, seeking the things that are above, we must leave farther and farther in the distance the things, which belong to the earth. While the world and carnal professors are rushing downward to death, those who climb the hill will have to put forth efforts or they will be carried down with them.” 9

“We often hear the remark; ‘You are too exclusive.’ As a people we would make any sacrifice to save souls, or lead them to the truth. But to unite with them, to love the things that they love, and have friendship with the world, we dare not, for we should then be at enmity with God.” 10

“It is only through the grace of God that we can make a right use of this endowment. There is nothing in us of ourselves by which we can influence others for good. If we realize our helplessness and our need of divine power, we shall not trust to ourselves. We know not what result a day, an hour, or a moment may determine, and never should we begin the day without committing our ways to our heavenly Father. His angels are appointed to watch over us, and if we put ourselves, under their guardianship, then in every time of danger they will be at our right hand. When unconsciously we are in danger of exerting a wrong influence, the angels will be by our side, prompting us, to a better course, choosing our words for us, and influencing our actions. Thus our influence may be a silent, unconscious, but mighty power in drawing others to Christ and the heavenly world.” 11

Our responsibility before God and the wider family of the church and society requires a total commitment to Christ, who has shown in His life what one may accomplish under the control of the Holy Spirit.