A RIGHT AMOUNT OF SALT accentuates the flavour of a dish; too much and it is ruined. Yet a copious amount of salt is necessary for the preservation of food and the prevention of icy roads in snowy winters. Ancient travellers did not benefit from public lighting like we do. Beyond the natural night lights and familiar well-trodden paths, well-lit homes in cities perched on hills served as beacons and a source of certainty for distant travellers. Salt cannot help but be salty. A burning lamp cannot but give out light. Likewise, true disciples of Christ cannot help but reflect Christ, express Christ and point others to Christ. That is how the Christians’ mandate flows into their mission. There is a translation of being into doing, faithfulness into fruitfulness and pilgrimage into performance. And there is a virtuous cycle such that the latter feeds into the former! This is the kind of veracity, integrity and authenticity of life, work and ministry that Jesus was referring to. It is the kind of righteousness that “surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees” (v.20, NASB). Our mandate and mission are intimately intertwined. They cannot be artificially distinguished and separated. Both mandate and mission must be anchored in Jesus Christ who did not come to abolish, but to fulfil the requirements of the Law (v.17). Whether you are a PMET in the employment of others, a self-employed entrepreneur running a business, driving or delivering, or a homemaker, you are to work fruitfully for the Lord in your vocation and calling as salt and light. That is your Christian discipleship mission!