Jesus told a crowd of folks that they were the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). I wonder if they looked perplexed, and if they had ever heard such a comparison before like that. Similar comparisons are made frequently today. Statements such as "You're as slow as molasses," or "You're like a bump on a log," or "You're as cool as a cucumber," have often been made of others, and we know what they mean. Since our Lord made this comparison, we should want to know what he meant by it. 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 (Matthew 5:13 NKJV).
Salt has an appealing taste. It is not foul nor tasteless. The thing about salt is that you cannot hide it in food. In tasting potato chips, you can quickly tell if salt is in it or not. So why did Jesus tell people to be like salt? Because we ought to be different from the world. That positive difference will be noticed by others, which may give us an opportunity to say something for the Lord. We show we're different by our manner of life. Jesus also said in this context that people will "see your good works" ( Matthew 5:16). What can people see in you that marks you as different from a selfish and sinful world? Ever hear things like, "Why do you work so hard?" Or, "Why don't you ever complain?" Or, "I've never seen someone so calm in such a situation.”
This interest in your unworldly behavior will give you the opportunity to tell them the "why." Do outsiders notice your behavior, and desire to know what makes you tick? Remember, "many tax collectors and sinners came" (Mt. 9:10) to Jesus. I find this fascinating because I do not see many sinners coming to Christians today. I do not write this to disparage anyone, only to make us think about what drew people to Jesus, and why they are not being drawn to his followers in a similar fashion today.
Certainly people are attracted to sin because of its pleasures (Hebrews 11:25). But sin cannot ultimately satisfy as the pleasures are temporary. Furthermore, sin always has a worm in its apple in the form of guilt, turmoil, and even death. On the other hand, Christians are instructed by the word of God how to live which results in joy, contentment, and hope, even in the midst of outward trials (Philippians 4:4-7). Oh, we will have days when we fall short. We cannot live perfect lives. But I'm writing of a way of life, a behavior that we are known for in the eyes of others. Because if our behavior is not really all that different than someone who is not in Christ, then we have lost our "flavor," and are really, in the eyes of sinners, "good for nothing.”
Let's figure out ways we can be salt in the lives of others to draw them to the Savior. Perhaps the end of the fifth chapter of Galatians would be a good starting place for our daily meditations. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another (Galatians 5:22-26). The last sentence describes the world. Does the world think of you as an example of the first sentence?
Brotherly, Jamie
