The debate over Christian engagement in politics is often framed as a choice between two extremes: complete withdrawal from the Christian responsibility to influence the world, or full-scale activism aimed at transforming society through political power. “We must be salt and light” is often used as a rallying cry to push Christians into the support various social and political movements.

But what kind of influence does Jesus actually call his followers to have? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declares:

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor to people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16

The metaphors of salt and light clearly describe Christian influence. However, this influence is rooted in distinctiveness, not assimilation with the world. Salt and light do not blend in with their surroundings; they transform precisely because they are of a different character. Jesus warns “If salt has lost its taste… it is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out.”

Christian influence is not about adopting the methods of earthly kingdoms and their ways of influencing the world for what they see as good. It is about standing apart from the world by faithfully following the commands and example of Jesus in a way that makes the Kingdom of God, and its numerous good works, visible to the world.

A Different Kingdom

Some argue, “But Jesus has all authority (Matthew 28:18)! He reigns over everything! How can we cede any ground to ungodly secular leaders?!” While Jesus does indeed have all authority, the way he gains and exercises his authority is crucially important to keep front of mind.

The command to be “salt and light” must not be used to justify the desire to adopt whatever method of influence seems good in our own eyes. On numerous occasions, Jesus was offered opportunities to influence the world through the methods of earthly kingdoms, and each time he resisted.

For example, in Matthew 4:8-10, Satan offered him all the kingdoms of the world. If Jesus had all the power and authority of the world’s kingdoms, just imagine the policies he could have implemented!  Jesus had the opportunity to end abortion, enforce justice, feed the hungry, ensure sufficient provisions for the widows and fatherless, outlaw innumerable vices, and ensure righteous rule throughout the whole world! Yet Jesus rejected this offer. Why? Because it would have bypassed the cross, leaving death – the greatest tyrant of all – unchallenged.

Though Jesus did ultimately gain all authority over heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18), his method for achieving this authority was not the method of earthly rulers. If Jesus had gained power without suffering, he would have gained influence without redemption. If he had chosen to reform earthly kingdoms into improved versions of themselves, he would have failed to establish the kingdom of God. If he had avoided the cross, he could have been a great teacher, cultural influences, moral reformer, or a great political figure – one among many. However, he would have failed to destroy the very root of all earthly corruption – sin itself.

That’s why in John 6:15, when the people tried to make Jesus a king by force, he withdrew. Though he had the perfect opportunity to assume earthly power, he chose a different path. Later, before Pilate, Jesus clarified:

My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting.

John 18:36

Jesus did not deny that he had the authority of a king, but he emphasized that his kingdom is of a different origin, and therefore operates differently. His followers are distinguished by their refusal to fight as the servants of earthly kingdoms do.  Paul reinforces this in 2 Corinthians 10:3-4:

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

Jesus’ authority is not advanced through fighting with fleshly means, but through spiritual weapons. Christians fight best as they proclaim the gospel – the gospel that can transform mankind from the inside out – a far more powerful form of influence than any earthly means can ever achieve.

What Does “Salt and Light” Influence Look Like?

Salt preserves and flavors precisely because it is different from that which it is applied to. Light illuminates because it stands in contrast to the darkness. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus does not call his followers to take control of society; he challenges them to live by a radically different set of values than those that uphold earthly kingdoms.

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) emphasize that the poor in spirit, the meek, and the peacemakers are the blessed ones. While Jesus exalts humility and gentleness rather than coercion and force, earthly political structures reward qualities like strength, assertiveness, and dominance.

Unlike the “eye for an eye” justice system of secular courts, Jesus instructs his followers to “turn the other cheek” and love their enemies (Matthew 5:38-44). This teaching upends the cycle of violence and retribution that characterizes earthly kingdoms.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus urges his followers to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” urging them to prioritize “treasures in heaven” over material wealth, political power, or social status. While earthly kingdom rely on the accumulation of power and resources, the kingdom of God calls for radical trust in divine provision.

The way Jesus calls his followers to influence the world in the Sermon on the Mount mirrors how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego influenced Babylon. Though given positions of power (Daniel 2:49), they ultimately achieved influence by refusing to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image (Daniel 3:16-18). Their bold stance not only led to their miraculous deliverance from death, but also influenced the king himself to acknowledge the power of God (Daniel 3:28).

Similarly, the early church was credited with “turning the world upside down” (Acts 17:6-7). Yet, they did not achieve this by rallying behind various political movements, or influencing Caesar’s governance. Their world changing power came from proclaiming that there was “another king, Jesus.”

Jesus certainly expected his rule to influence the world for good, but he never instructed his disciples to seek control over earthly kingdoms. In fact, he explicitly warned them against ruling over others in the manner of earthly rulers (Mark 10:42-43).

Does This Mean Christians Should Be Passive?

The idea that “Christians must influence every realm of life” often leads to the assumption that faithfulness is measured by political success. Some argue that avoiding direct political engagement is cowardly or compromising. But this accusation assumes that faithfulness is defined by how successfully Christians get rulers to uphold godly values. But Jesus calls his disciples to be faithful regardless of political outcomes.

Was Jesus “passive” when He refused an earthly crown and instead word a crown of thorns? Was Peter a “compromising” when he urged Christians to submit to the emperor (1 Peter 2:13)? Was Paul a “failure” for preaching the kingdom of God while under house arrest rather than advising Caesar on the best public policies?

No – faithfulness is not about ruling as the Gentiles do, but about obeying Christ and following in his steps, regardless of the cost. True Christian influence is not that which is achieved through legislation, but through lives that reflect Christ. Our hope is not in Christianized laws or political victories, but in the gospel, “the power of God for salvation.”

Influence Through Distinction

The call to be salt and light must never be perverted into a call to rule over others. Christian influence comes through faithfulness to a radically different kingdom, built on distinctive values. To the extent that we assimilate to the ways of earthly kingdoms, we lose our saltiness. But if we remain faithful to the way of Christ, our light will shine through the darkness, no matter how much or how little power we appear to have.   

Instead of asking, “How can we take control?” we should ask, “How can we better replicate the methods of Jesus?” Our impact is not measured by dominance but by our distinctiveness – how closely our lives reflect the way of the cross. Only then can we truly be salt and light in the world.