“CALLED TO BE THE SALT & LIGHT OF THE WORLD.” You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt of it has lost its flavor? [Mathew 5:13] I have learned I can’t always control the trials I face, but I am the keeper of my salt. Will I be bitter or better? Less seasoned or more flavorful? Will I disappear into the background or stand out as an overcomer? Because in the end, what good am I if Ive lost my flavoring? Jesus compared believers to salt for a reason. Why? You and I, as Christians, are called the to be the salt of the earth because our lives enhance and give meaning to this existence we call life. Before salvation, we were like grains of sand, too numerous to count. But after receiving Christ, we were transformed no longer like minuscule debris of rock having little or no difference from another lost piece of sand, to something distinctive in taste, texture and with an aroma. Imagine that.. So Jesus used the concepts of salt and light a number of different times to refer to the role of His followers in the world. One example is found in [Mathew 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 by men.” I am told,Salt had two purposes in the Middle East in the first century. Because of the lack of refrigeration, salt was used to preserve food, especially meat which would quickly spoil in the desert environment. Similarly,believers in Christ are preservatives to the world, preserving it from the evil inherent in the society of ungodly men whose unredeemed nature is corrupted by sin. Salt was used then, as now, as a flavor enhancer. In the same way that salt enhances the flavor of the food it seasons. The followers of Christ stand out as those who “enhance” the flavor of life in this world. Christians living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in obedience to Christ, will inevitably influence the world for good, as salt has a positive influence on the flavor of the food it seasons. Where there is strife, we are to be peacemakers; where there is sorrow, we are to be the ministers of Christ, binding up wounds, and where there is hatred, we are to exemplify the love of God in Christ, returning good for evil [Luke 6:35] In the analogy of light to the world, the good works of Christ’s followers are to shine for all to see. The following verses in [Mathew 5] highlight this truth: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill that can not be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven”[Mathew 5:14-16] . The idea here is similar the presence of light in darkness is something which is unmistakable. The presence of Christians in the world must be like a light in the darkness, not only in the sense that the truth of God’s Word brings light to the darkened hearts of sinful man [John 1:1-10], but also in the sense that our good deeds must be evident for all to see. And indeed, our deeds will be evident if they are performed in accordance with the other principles which Jesus mentions in this passage, such as the Beatitudes in [Mathew 5:3-1]. Notice especially that the concern is not that Christians would stand out for their own sake, but that those who look unto them might glorify your Father who is in heaven”. Salt is a dietary mineral, used for flavoring and preservation needed by all known living creatures. Salt is a water softer,it is also used to thaw ice and to preserve meat I think. Jesus used salt to describe how Christians are needed to bring balance and hope to an otherwise dying world. The question Jesus is asking however is, What good is salt if it has lost its flavor? In other words, if a Christian has lost his or her saltiness [what they were called to be and do], then whats the difference between the old grain of sand they once were and the so-called salt they are now? The answer is very simple. Trials can cause us to become weary if were not careful. And just like salt can become diluted in water, Christians can become diluted (or altered) by their experiences. If we are the salt of the earth and its possible to lose our flavoring, then its no secret the Devil will do his best to make sure our effectiveness (our flavoring) isnt what it used to be. And if he had his way in every case, wed have no flavoring left at all returning to transparent grains of sand with no threat to him or his kingdom. Jesus said, Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.[ Mark 9:50] Consider this: the sea is full of salt but it is only extracted through the process of boiling (removing the water to retain the salt). The boiling process will either prove or disprove the amount of salt contained in a substance. In the same way, the trials of life will either prove our lives are flavored by God or they will reveal how much we truly lack. Either way, if handled correctly, the end result can be beneficial ,their revelation of Jesus Christ and His grace and faithfulness will increase; for the other, a realization of their small faith can push them to a deeper relationship with God because despite their lack, He remains faithful. The only problem is: God has left the salt containers (you and I) to decide. So dear friends, dont be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad - for these trials make you partners with Christ [and what He went through], so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world.[1 Peter 4:12-13] What sorts of things can hinder or prevent the Christian from fulfilling his or her role as salt and light in the world? The passage clearly states that the difference between the Christian and the world must be preserved; therefore, any choice on our part which blurs the distinction between us and the rest of the world is a step in the wrong direction. This can happen either through a choice to accept the ways of the world for the sake of comfort or convenience or to contravene the law of obedience to Christ. [Mark 9:50] suggests that saltiness can be lost specifically through a lack of peace with one another; this follows from the command to “have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” And in [Luke 14:34-35 ] we find a reference to the metaphor of salt once again, this time in the context of obedient discipleship to Jesus Christ. The loss of saltiness occurs in the failure of the Christian to daily take up the cross and follow Christ wholeheartedly. It seems, then, that the role of the Christian as salt and light in the world may be hindered or prevented through any choice to compromise or settle for that which is more convenient or comfortable, rather than that which is truly best and pleasing to the Lord. Moreover, the status of salt and light is something which follows naturally from the Christian’s humble obedience to the commandments of Christ. It is when we depart from the Spirit-led lifestyle of genuine discipleship that the distinctions between ourselves and the rest of the world become blurred and our testimony is hindered. Only by remaining focused on Christ and being obedient to Him can we expect to remain salt and light in the world. Ive learned that God is not the destroyer in this life. He said the thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy. [John 10:10] God is not the thief. God is the Restorer of broken lives and broken hearts. If you are a Christian who has lost you saltiness,God is saying to you today that it is never too late to mend,for a bruised reed he will not break and a smoldering he will snuff not. Go back to the throne of grace your saltiness is redeemable and besides there many out there that are waiting for light to shine so that they may also be redeemed from darkness. BE THE SALT & LIGHT OF THE WORLD THAT GOD CALLED YOU TO BE
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 08:00:12 +0000
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