... like assuming that everyone who participates in a church service is automatically a faithful Christian.

Whole regions within any state colored either red or blue can be the reverse color. Here in California; I live in a Red Area of a Red County in a Blue State in a nation that has a Red President.

To me the big question is not what color is my state, region or city but what colors my heart? Notice that I did not ask "what color is my heart" but rather "what colors my heart?" I would hope and pray that what colors my heart is always what Jesus Christ taught in Matthew 5, 6 and 7.

This set of Scriptures is often called "the Sermon on the Mount." Some refer to it as the "Teaching on the Hill"—which may be a more accurate description of its style, tone and length of presentation. It speaks to each and every individual. In it Christ didn't use colors, but He did draw a stunningly accurate portrayal of how His followers should live.

Part of His message was, "... don't be like those people who don't know God" (Matthew 6:7, New Century Version). He even took on the insincere religious folk of His day, calling some of them "hypocrites" (Matthew 6:5, 7:5)." Hypocrisy "colors" one differently than sincerity.

Jesus doesn't label his followers as red or blue. In fact, His metaphors aren't contrasting colors at all, but light and darkness and the contrast between them.

He asks His disciples to become the light of the world. Light is the opposite of darkness. In full darkness one small candle on a window sill may be visible for miles. So should a Christian's example be as a light shining forth from the top of a hill so all can see (Matthew 5:14-16).

Jesus also employed salt as a metaphor for what His disciples should be like. Salt, a preservative, is pure. It adds flavor to food—so much so that one can quickly detect is absence. Its antiseptic qualities work against agents that corrupt.

Committed Christians—who are a true light to others—contribute a powerfully positive flavor, like salt, to those coming in contact with them. Yet they must be careful not to lose that flavor by participating in unbiblical customs lest their salt-like flavor be corrupted.

As Jesus explained, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men" (Matthew 5:13, New International Version). Paul reinforced this important caution, "Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character" (1 Corinthians 15:33, NIV).

Long ago, "The Lord said to Moses, 'Tell the people of Israel: "I am the Lord your God. In the past you lived in Egypt, but you must not do what was done in that country. And you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their customs. You must obey my rules and follow them. I am the Lord your God"'" (Leviticus 18:1-4, NCV, emphasis added).

That message is still relevant today! God still desires a relationship with those who will faithfully keep His word and obey His rules.

When was the last time you really gave His Ten Commandments a good read? Do you know how to apply them effectively to your life?