Scripture Reference:
Matthew 5:13 “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 underfoot.
Mark 9:50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves and be at peace with each other.”
What does it mean to be the salt of the earth?
To know what the Lord means by this expression, we have to look at what salt is and what it serves. Salt gives flavor. The salt improves the taste of what we eat. When food is too bland, we add salt. Likewise, God puts us on the earth and fills us with his flavor, which is joy, peace and justice, and what he expects of us is that we spread it on the earth.
1. Believers are valuable to the world.
The Romans believed that other than the sun, there was nothing more valuable than salt. Romans were paid in salt, which is where the phrase "He is not worth his salt" came from.
Jesus came for us to live life to the full, to be the salt of the earth, and the light of the world. It is he, in us, beaming through our flesh to brighten up this world with a peace and love that transcend human understanding.
2. Believers preserve society from moral decay.
-One of the primary uses for salt in the ancient world was as a preserve. If salt is kept in the saltshaker, it is rendered ineffective. Sadly, this is how most Christians are. They are kept in the church and around other believers and therefore have no positive impact on the world. We must allow ourselves to be placed in companies, schools, and nations that are corrupt, so we can help bring righteousness. Which will be tough because being righteous when others are not will bring persecution. Which can lead to loneliness, feeling like you are the only faithful one. These negative experiences are at times necessary to bring positive change.
3. Believers bring flavor to society and create a thirst for Christ.
- Although the world mocks Christians by saying we are boring and don't know how to have fun, the reality is that society itself is bland like tasteless food. Everything it offers fails to satisfy. People go from product to product, relationship to relationship, job to job, only to find themselves unfulfilled. In John 4:13-14 Christ said this to the woman at the well: "Everyone who drinks some of this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks some of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. A perfect example of how the world is. Nothing truly satisfies.
When the world looks at believers and see how different we are, it should provoke them to want to know why. When they see how we can go through trials with joy and without complaining, when we bless our enemies and not curse them...all of this demonstrates what the world lacks and draws them to Christ. The world is bland, but a true believer's lifestyle should be like salt and making a difference in this world. The world doesn't need more of itself, it needs more of Christ.
When the world cheats and is dishonest, believers must have integrity. When the world curses and swears, believers must only speak edifying words. When the world enjoys ungodly entertainment, believers must seek to enjoy only things that glorify God and bless others.
4. Growing in relationship with Christ.
- Maintain a daily pursuit with Christ through his word and through prayer. Let go of the things of this world, and gradually take hold of all things eternal. We are here as "salt of the earth," to be a blessing to the world. We are here to glorify Christ in our daily life. We are here as workers for Christ, as "workers together with him."
It is only because we have Christ nature inside of us that we are salt, apart from that, we are just like the world. In John 15:5 Christ said that he was the vine and that we are the branches. If we abide in him, we will produce much fruit.
5. Surround yourself with other believers.
"You are the salt of the earth" The "you" is plural. Christ is not referring to individuals specifically, but individuals as part of the community of believers. The more salt placed on something, the more flavored it becomes. We must commune with other salty believers to be encouraged, challenged, and built up, so we can be more effective in the world.
He is the salt. It is he is us that makes us visibly and audibly different. He's imploring us not to lose him. Keep seeking, knocking and pursuing him.
De-Salted
Jesus taught his followers to be careful not to lose the flavor of their creator. He described his followers and believers today, as salt and light, clearly called to influence, improve and make the world a better place.
"But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people."
Question: What does Christ mean by salt losing its flavor or saltiness?
A true believer cannot lose his essential nature as salt, since Christ dwells in him. However, he can lose effectiveness by mixing with the world. That process looks like...
Friendship with the world (James 4:4)
Becoming stained by the world (James 1:27)
Loving the world (1 John 2:15)
Being fully conformed to the world (Romans 12:2)
James said "Adulterers, do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God"
John said "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Worldly believers are dangerous. They push people away from God. Worldly believers not only promote sin in the world instead of retarding it, but they also promote sin in the church. In 1 Corinthians 5:6, Paul said, "a little yeast affects the whole batch of dough". Sin spreads and contaminates others. Christ said one either gathers or scatters (Matthew 12:30). There is no in between.
Prayer: Father, we don’t want to be dull and bland. We don’t want to lose any of the flavor You have created and purposed for us to behold! Please, Lord, use our lives to bring out the best in everyone You purposefully place around us. Give us self-control and make us slow to speak. Let our actions and words bring glory and honor to You. Forgive us for the times we have fallen short, and for the times we will undoubtably fail again. Don’t let our sins stop us, Father. Help us to keep confessing, repenting, and turning from the sins that so easily entangle us. Jesus, thank You for being our Salt and Light. It is You in us, the true Salt and Light, that seasons and shines our lives and those around us. We love you more every day and will continue to pursue You, no matter the cost. For we know the pain this side of heaven is a reality we will face and walk through. Strengthen us to persevere, and rejoice, through it all, knowing everything we walk through here on earth brings us one step closer to You. In Jesus’ powerful name we pray, Amen.
Exercise:
Are you being salty?
Does your presence make a difference in your environment?
Are you deterring people from sin and provoking them towards righteousness?
Are you making people thirsty for Christ?
In what ways have you experienced salt in the lives of others which made you desire to be more godly?
How do you feel God is calling you to currently pursue growth in saltiness?