“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.”
Matthew 5:13 (NLT)
Today’s thoughts:
Do you know salt is essential to life and health, but when we use too much of it, salt becomes harmful to us? We find salt in our bodies. It is present in our blood, sweat, and tears. Also, during Jesus’ time, people traded with salt as a commodity. Salt is a fantastic element in our world.
We find references to salt throughout the Old and New Testaments. In olden times, it was used as a seasoning, a preservative, a disinfectant, a part of ceremonial offerings, and as a type of money exchange. In the Bible, we find it used to signify stability, loyalty, durability, fidelity, usefulness, value, and purification.
Salt of the Earth
What does Jesus mean when he calls us to be “the salt of the earth?” Like salt’s usefulness to the body, we are called to bring the life-saving salt of Jesus to a dying world. As a commodity, we offer the wealth of our knowledge of Christ to the lost to help redeem their souls. Like salt, we are essential to the eternal life of others, and we can make them thirst after the word of God.
But, the verse also warns us about salt losing its flavor. In Biblical times, salt might be found contaminated with other minerals. These additional minerals left the salt without taste. For us, this might symbolize how the sins of this world contaminate us, so our witness loses its appeal to others.
Staying Salty
As the salt of the earth, we need to live as pure a life as possible so that we can offer the Lord’s message as “flavor” to season the lives of those around us. But, we must use cause. As we start to believe things like false doctrines, we lose our authentic saltiness. And eventually, we become unsalty. Finally, our words become worthless and hollow. Prayer for God to keep us salty Christians.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for using such simple things as salt to teach us about sharing the gospel. Thank you for allowing us to share our saltiness with those who need You. Help us always to remember to be Your salt and light in the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection
How can you be the salt of the earth to those closest to you?
Blessings,
Yvonne M. Morgan, author, blogger, and speaker.
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
100% of the proceeds from sales of my book, Turning Mountains Into Molehills, help the orphans at Orphan Relief Effort, Inc.
Additional Resources:
I am thankful God uses simple things like salt to teach us valuable lessons.
Me too. Thanks 🙏
I love your point that being “salt” causes seekers to thirst for Him. I’m heading to an AA meeting this evening to sprinkle a little salt, my first in- person one since March. I’d appreciate your prayers as I return to this “mission field. “
I will be praying. Go with God and spread some salt and light. Thanks Candice
I’ve always loved this verse yet somehow never though about us as being able to, like salt, sprinkle God’s love and His world throughout the world. Great piece, Yvonne. Thank you!
Thanks Jessica. I appreciate the feedback. God bless
Living a life of faith and trust in the Lord, modeling ourselves after Jesus in truth, graciousness, and kindness, heeding his Word and obeying his precepts — all of this produces a salty life. Oh that more of us would walk in his ways and live in ways that draw people to Jesus! How often we fall short!
I know I fall short on a daily basis. But, His grace tells me to keep trying. We are blessed. Thanks Melinda and God bless.
We know salt is flavor, but I hadn’t thought about it losing its flavor. A good reminder to stay prayerful and in the Word daily. Good post!
Thanks Rebecca. We must work hard to never lose our flavor for serving God.
We definitely need to be reminded that we should be the salt and light in our world!
Very true. The world wants us to be quiet but we are called to spread His light and salt everywhere we go. Thanks Ava.
Yvonne, this is fresh insight. I’ve read many words and heard many messages about being the salt of the world. But love your spin on it using Scripture. Especially as salt making others thirst for God and His Word. I just said yesterday, that our salty food at dinner made me thirsty!
We can forget the importance of salt and how it impacts our bodies. When God choose salt for this illustration, it really held many layers of meaning. We can’t live without salt, it is a preservative and it adds flavor. Christ does all these things too. Thanks Karen
The rich and deep layers of beauty and truth found in the illustration of salt, is a wonder to me! Jesus was truly a Master Teacher! Thank you for reminding us all of the valuable and essential qualities contained in salt and how that applies to our lives in Him. I see so many churches that no longer believe in the truth of the Bible and I see more and more how the flavor and life-saving value of Christian salt is being lost. May we be found faithful and flavorful for Jesus! Thank you for keeping my life seasoned with Christ!
Yes, may we always be found to be worthy to be called the salt and light of Christ. Especially as this darkness descends on so many people and churches, we must stand for Christ. Thanks Melissa and God bless.
Amen and amen.
Wow you make some great points here never thought about salt losing its flavor bc of other minerals
Salt is more amazing than many realize. I am sure that is why Jesus used it this way. Thanks for visiting and commenting. God bless.