The salt of the earth

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

Matthew 5:13

Here our Lord and Saviour addresses Christian conduct. The disciples of Jesus Christ are meant to be the salt of the earth. We are here to be a good influence on the world and the local area where God has placed us. If you look back on British history, the British have been most blessed when Christianity was evangelical. The best influence we can have on our nation is to share the Gospel with the lost and warn the nation against sinfulness. We are to provide biblical answers to the problems of the day.

In the Middle East during the time of Jesus salt had two main purposes. Firstly, salt was used to preserve food. There were no refrigerators in the first century, salt was used to preserve food, particularly meat. Christ’s followers are in the world to preserve the world from sin and evil. This is only made possible by the preaching of God’s Word. We are to be the messengers of righteousness. The world is corrupted by sin we are to call sinners to repentance. A faithful Christian will proclaim the Good News of Christ.

Secondly, salt was used to enhance the flavour of food. As followers of Christ, we are called to enhance the spiritual lives of God’s people. We are also called to enhance the well-being of the nation we are placed in. Luke 14:34 says, “Salt is good: but if the salt has lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?” Search your heart and answer these questions. Is your mind filled with thoughts that draw you towards God? Perhaps a better question to consider is what do think about? Is God in your thoughts? Are you striving to be more like Christ? Do you make time to search the Scriptures daily? Do you share the Gospel with the lost? Do you earnestly contend for the faith? Are you involved in evangelism? Are you serving the Lord for good? Above all are you seeking to be the salt of the earth?

If you are not striving to be a godly example in your daily life then confess this to God and ask Him to change your heart towards the things of Him. We are called to be the salt of the world for a reason. God has chosen Christian people to be a blessing in the world. God can and does work independently of His creation. However, God does work through the assembly. Not every Christian is called to be a preacher, but everyone is called to share the Gospel. Are you faithfully serving and seeking the living God today? These questions are very important and vital to your growth in grace.