You are the Salt

(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.

This was during the sermon on the mount, where Jesus was speaking to His disciples. These disciples represent you and me and the church of Christ in this generation. He tells them that they are the salt. The same mandate that Jesus gave to His disciples is still applicable to us today.

One can't help but think what did Jesus mean by that. In the ancient time salt had value, it had value in such a way that sometimes the Roman soldiers were paid their salaries in salt. Sometimes, not always. That's how valuable the salt was back then. Jesus wanted to emphasize the value of His disciples on earth.

Now what are the characteristics of salt? What was Jesus saying about His disciples here? Could it be that since salt adds taste in food so should we also add taste to this world we live in? Should we add flavour in to other peoples lives?

As the whiteness of the salt, could it be that we should be pure as Christians? Could it be that it means we must be sin free. Maybe since the salt stings when it comes with the wound so should we as Christians sting the world for their sins and rebuke them, judge them? I don't think that's what Jesus was saying.

However, salt has another important purpose which just might be what Jesus was referring to. Salt also works as preservative for decay. His disciples understood the metaphor when Jesus said "you are the salt of the earth", why? Because they themselves were the fisherman when Jesus found them. They were familiar with that function of salt as the fish they use to catch would quickly rot when they pack unless they pack it in salt, it won't spoil and will last longer when packed.

So as Christians we are to prevent the sin from decaying the world we live in. How? By the way we live in the world we are in, in the community. By showing love to our neighbours, by giving to the poor and preaching the Gospel. We have Christians that would care less about other people. Christians who are not in good relationship with their neighbours yet Jesus expect us to be the salt that prevents sin decay in people, but instead of being peace makers we are at war with others. Let alone others, we have Christians who can't stand each other in the same church, they are enemies.

As the church, we need to serve the community we are in. Be the influence in that community. The church must take care of the needy, the orphans. It must show them love and preach the Gospel. Not rebuke people, must not judge them. For if we do so, then we would have lost our saltiness and be deserving to be thrown away.

That's what Jesus warns us about when He said: "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." I know someone may wonder how does the salt loses it's saltiness. Yes in the time we live in today salt can never lose it's saltiness, but in that time of Jesus it would. once it has it would be of no use so they would throw it in a pathway where people walk. That was to make sure that grass do not grow tall in that area so the pathway could be clear. It be comes poisonous. So people would trample on it.

So I we disobey God we become corrosive and poisonous, but Jesus does not say we lose our salvation. He said saltiness so if you feel you have not obeyed God, repent and be restored.

Jesus continue and say: "14 "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. " How do you light the world? By the lifestyle you live amongst other people. When you want to see the effectiveness if the light, wait until it's dark. It doesn't matter how little that light might be, but in the dark everyone will notice it. It will catch attention to everyone. That's the kind of a lifestyle we need the live as Christians, as the church. Be there for people in their darkest hour, bring hope and love.

If you are the light you can not be hidden, you like a town built on a hill. You shine for everyone.

Have you lost your saltiness, have you put your light under the bowl? Have you bee disobedient to God's word? There is still a way. God is a God of Restoration, He will restore you. Repent and be forgiven and be restored.