Christians as Salt and Light and its Implication for Good Governance in Nigeria

Abstract

The fact that believers should affect the world in which they live is evident from Mathew 5:13-16. It forms a transition from identifying those who are to live according to the demands of the Sermon on the Mount in the present (5:17- 7:27) and those who will live the life of blessedness in the future (5:3-12). In this transitional passage, the audience is metaphorically identified as “The salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”. The problem of double allegiance, bribery and corruption etc. has made good governance a challenge that is righteous living in a corrupt world. The question is how Christians understand, relate, and respond to the challenges of this text in their day-to-day life especially as regards good governance. Shining as light and tasting as salt in the world is not an option, but an obligation, command, an imperative for Christians. This paper traces, shows and points out the importance of Christians in Nigeria knowing who they are, and the expectations of God and the society on them as regards good governance. The paper seeks to bring to the fore the role of Christians to participate in efforts which lead to nation-building. It also aims to challenge Christians and the Church in Nigeria to assume its rightful position of leadership and relevance in our great nation by playing its God's determined roles. The methodologies employed for this research are the exegetical and theological methods. The paper also asserts that it is important to understand that the practice of politics is necessary to govern, and the Bible clearly shows us that God is very much interested in good government. Therefore, Christians as salt and light must preserve the Nigerian nation and its people from the effects of hatred, violence, corruption, injustice and ethnocentrism.