S.A.L.T. Ministry – Breaking Down The Walls
John 3:5-6 – (5) Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do the light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV
Introduction
Salt is a very precious commodity, especially during ancient times. It was so important that Traders were willing to travel hundreds of miles to buy and sell salt. Salt mining today is very dangerous; in fact there is a metaphor that people often like to use, “back to the salt mines” inferring that your workplace is somehow like a dangerous salt mine where lowly prisoners or the extremely unpaid labor both day and night.
In ancient salt mines, salt had to be minded by hand with picks and shovels and was very corrosive to the body. During this time, life expectancy for miners was very short. Because of this, the salt was very expensive and extremely rare. Salt mining today involves the high technology of what is known as “Deep-salt mining”. Today alt is harvested through solar evaporation from seawater or salt lakes which should give us an idea of just how important salt is in the world today, because people go through great lengths to obtain this particular white substance or compound. And so it is no small compliment when Jesus calls you and I, “The Salt of the Earth”.
He is saying to us that we are of great worth and reliability. We are or we should be devoted, loyal, earnest, and honest. The kind of person who lives a life that should be emulated by others thus a role model to and for the world. You may have heard someone while introducing another say, “He or she is the ‘salt of the earth’. What a wonderful compliment to receive! However, when Jesus says, ‘you are the salt of the earth’ at the same time He is also acknowledging the fact that the earth is in need of seasoning. I don’t know about you, but I like to season my food!
Salt Has Power
When Jesus says, “You are the Salt of the earth”, He is speaking of our conduct and character while yet living in this sin-cursed world. He is saying we are different or we ought to be different and live differently that the rest of the world. Because as a Christian our character is just salt, and our conduct is also just like salt – Salt is not like the compounds. We are not like the world; we don’t enjoy or at least we shouldn’t enjoy everything that the world enjoys. In fact, not only are you called salt, you are even designed to be the salt of the earth. And I don’t know about you but I like being called salt by Jesus.
Have you ever considered the power of salt? The power of salt derives from its difference. One of the differences is the healing power in salt. It has two element, sodium and chloride. And thus, salt is also known as sodium chloride. Salt is important to our health because body cells must have salt in order t live and work, and it has antiseptic or germ-killing properties. Believe it or not the world, the unbelievers, are able to live on this earth because of those of us who are the salt of the earth. For example, if there had been one righteous person found, Sodom and Gomorrah would have been spared.
Salt Preserves
Another reason I love being called the salt of the earth is because salt preserves. I am amazed that before the refrigerator became a common household appliance, salt was a popular preservative. This process is still use in many products, including bacon, ham, pickles, and jerky. Salt kills bacteria and molds. Likewise, we are called to preserve. We are called to preserve through stewardship.
We are to preserve what God has established here on earth. In this world, God calls us to preserve and protect. He gives us field and flower, animal, vegetable, and mineral to use for our benefit, but always with the qualification that we do not harm others through our living. Always with the reminder that we are living in community, and that our actions impact the world around us. He calls us to preserve what is written in His Word.
We are born again by the Word of God. As the salt of the earth, we have been spiritually born again and spiritually made over. We are brand new. We have a brand new walk, and a brand new talk, and a brand new way of doing things. We are not born again of a corruptible seed because if that were the case, we would still be abusive, self-seeking, hypocritical, snobbish, arrogant, deceptive, angry, prideful, bitter, hateful, and neglectful. We, The Salt of the Earth, are born of an incorruptible seed that never perishes. We are called by God o preserve in order to keep the world from corruption.
Salt Penetrates and Adds Flavor
Salt penetrates, spreads all about and flavors. It inserts a new quality, substance, and life. It can take bland, tasteless food and make it enjoyable. A sprinkle of salt has a widespread effect. It changes that which it is put upon. We, who are the salt of the earth, likewise penetrate and add flavor to the world for Christ. We are given the ability to take that which is bland and tasteless and insert a new quality into the lives of those who were once lost but now are found. True believers will salt those in the world with God’s Word, and encourage whosever will “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
Salt enhances flavor by suppressing bitterness, and the best way to suppress bitterness is through God’s Word. I can remember being about the way someone treated me once. When I spoke with a fellow salt of the earth, she reminded me through the Word that bitterness hurts me more than the one who caused my bitterness. The salt of the earth penetrates darkness and infiltrates the world with God’s love and values so the world might know His goodness, His grace, and His mercy. Jesus already left us with a great commission, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Matthew 28:18
When Jesus speaks of “all nations” it is not necessarily all nations in the geographical sense of the word. All nations means people; it means whosever will come. Go to all nations and evangelize them. Not only are we to “go”, we are also instructed to “make disciples” out of them – penetrate, spread, and saturate the good news all about and all around – go to the highways, and the bi-ways, and compel people to come. Let them know that society deteriorates and crumbles when it neglects the teachings and commandments of Jesus. Let them know that salvation is free!
Conclusion
We, the salt of the earth, are always to remain useful – because there is a danger of becoming useless and destructive. Salt does not lose flavor per say. However, when impurities such as dirt and mix in and contaminate the salt, it is no good. Ask any chemist worth his or her salt, if salt can become contaminated and he or she will tell you that salt will not lose its savor with age, savor is lost through mixture and contamination. When Christian who were once the salt of the earth mix with things of the world, the become useless and contaminate. The ruin their testimony with things such as sexual immorality, the love of money, profanity, alcohol, drugs and other dangerous substances.
If you lose your saltiness, how can you be made salty again? Repentance! True repentance is the answer to this question. Cleanliness, truth, and goodness have always been and will ever be the watch words of we, the “salt of the earth”. I love being called the salt of the earth by Jesus Christ, and I pray you do too.