Matthew 5:13 (NASB)
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”
The greatest sermon ever spoken was the Sermon on the Mount (Mt.5-7), where Christ presented the “blueprint” for the Christian life. When Jesus spoke these statements, “You are the salt of the earth; You are the light of the world” (Mt 5:13-16), He was teaching the compelling idea that we as believers are called to engage our culture and have an impact on the world in which we live. This is a call to all followers of Christ. We will deal with the subject of the church being SALT in this brief document.
Interesting facts and thoughts about salt.
The human body contains more than 4 oz. of salt. (About one saltshaker full), and without sufficient salt in the human body, muscles spasm, blood will not circulate properly, food will not digest, and the heart will not beat rhythmically. Salt is a key and crucial component of human physiology.
The English word salary is derived from the Latin word “Salarium” (Latin: Sal – “Salt”) and may have referred to payments of “salt”made to Roman soldiers for their military service. This is the origin of the cliche, “Not worth his salt,” which means that someone is not worth the pay or salary they receive for their work.
What did Jesus mean by the statement when he taught: “You are the salt of the earth?”- Mt. 5:13
Simply stated, we are called to impact and influence our world with the gospel of Christ.
8 Compelling Truths Regarding Salt
- Salt Creates Thirst (John 7:37-39; Col. 4:6)
Believers who walk with Christ in a vital relationship, have the influence to make others spiritually “thirsty” for Christ. Those who see your life should become curious and inquisitive. May people say in their heart concerning you as a follower of Christ, “I want what they have.”
Jesus taught that “if any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink ..” It’s Christ who quenches the thirsty soul. Men and women drinking of the experiences of this life alone will perpetually remain thirsty, but those who come to Christ will have their thirst quenched.
Colossians 4:6 instructs us to let our speech to be seasoned with salt, that we might know how to answer every man. Our words like salt can create a spiritual thirst in others.
- Salt as a Seasoning, adds Zest and Flavor
“Can that which has no taste be eaten without salt? Or is there taste in the white of an egg?” – Job 6:6
The power of the gospel has the power to change a mundane life , to a life of purpose, fulfillment, and meaning.
The Christian life is also a calling to “joy,” and believers have the power to bring the true joy of Christ to a world of needy people. The humor of the world however is often at the expense of other people’s quirks, faults, and failures. Sarcasm is the lowest form of humour. Generally speaking, a sarcastic man is almost always an insecure man. True Christian joy does not need to put others down, but zest and joy can be found in almost everything in life.
- Salt Possesses Healing Properties
Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman writings reveal how salt was used as an antiseptic for medical treatments. Salt stings, but kills bacteria. Early treatments for a sore throat were to gargle with warm salt water.
The Christian walking with God is called to bring healing to a world of great need. The gospel heals sickness of soul, but the sting of the gospel is the conviction it brings to us as sinners. The conviction of the preaching of the gospel has the power to lead to health and life. Contrastingly condemnation which is “judgment,” creates a sense of hopelessness. The power of the Holy Spirit is upon the church to pray for healing. This includes physical healing through prayer, and emotional and spiritual healing through prayer, and the help of counselors.
- Salt Has Preserving Power
In ancient times, salt was used as the chief preservative of fish and meat. This is still in effect today in much of the world. Christianity has permanently influenced the world for good, and the teachings of Christ being lived out and demonstrated by his followers have the power to impact nations.
The Sermon on the Mount (Mt.5-7) is the underpinning of every moral and just society. Christianity has had an impact on the world for lasting good, and it will continue to do so.
- Salt has Penetrating Power
Salt penetrates, permeates, and changes what it comes in contact with. Cars which are owned by people living by the sea are subject to rust. Salt penetrates steel, and changes it.
Your life as a Christian has penetrating power. Your words, actions, and lifestyle have an impact on others when you are with them, and even in your absence. Like a drill bit, the “salty” words of the gospel and the life of a believer penetrates the hearts of even the hardest of men.
- Salt must be “shaken out,” and scattered
Salt in a container cannot do its work.
The church and ministry should not be contained within its own walls. We must shake this “saltshaker” called the church, and salt the world with the message of the gospel, and we’re called to obey Christ’s Great Commission to take the message of the gospel to every people and ethnicity (Ref: Mt. 28:18-20)
- Salt maintains its freshness by being attached to the rock.
When salt is mined from the earth, as opposed to salt harvested from the sea, it is chipped away as large deposits which cling to rocks. It is well known that salt is the most fragrant and flavorful, after it is first removed from the rock of the mine.
The word “rock” in scripture is a common metaphor for God. God is strong, solid, immovable, etc. but in this context we can see our lives as salt are attached to the rock, Christ Jesus. We as believers are the most “fragrant, and flavorful” to others when we have a relationship with Christ. Our being attached to Christ, in a vital spiritual relationship is when we are most effective.
But there is a warning here. Matthew 5:13 goes on to say: “But if salt loses its taste, how would its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men.”
The warning here is that if we detach ourselves and our vital relationship with Christ, we are in danger of losing our saltiness. Salt the has the power to be corrosive and to kill. It becomes worthless and must be discarded.
8. Salt Does Not Draw Attention to Itself
If you’ve ever eaten a delicious and tenderly salted and seasoned dish, you wouldn’t compliment the chef by saying, “That was delicious SALT!,” but rather, “That was delicious chicken … (beef, fish, etc.)” As believers, we are called to draw attention to Christ and not to ourselves.
I recall someone giving a testimony recently in a church service, commenting on a teaching point of scripture. This person began to recite some thoughts that I taught from the pulpit of that church, but then went on to say, “I don’t remember where I heard this, but …”
It was at that moment that I felt most complimented. They remembered the Word of God, and not the person who taught. All attention and glory belongs to Christ, and not to us.
I feel the challenge of Christ, and I want challenge you – Stay fresh. Stay attached to the rock. It’s a fact … Your life has the power to impact others with the love of Christ and the power of the gospel. The world needs “SALTY CHRISTIANS.” The world needs Jesus.
