SALT

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

When I was young I scraped my ankle on a wire. Several hours later I was in severe pain. My ankle was hot, red, swollen, and infected. As soon as my dad saw it, he made me soak it in a bucket of warm salt water. I cried in pain, but dad knew that this treatment would draw out the infection.

Salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride and can be found in vast amounts in sea water.  Salt is used in many ways: purification, drilling oil wells, curing meat, reducing inflammation, fertilization, and preserving. Salt can kill poison ivy, deodorize, sanitize, and brighten. Our bodies need salt because it helps us to maintain normal blood pressure. It also supports the work of the nerves, muscles, and fluid balance regulation.

Salt in and of itself cannot lose its flavor; however, it can be diluted or mixed with other things to make it ineffective. Jesus said that we as Christians are the salt of the earth. We are to bring the undiluted, unchanged message of salvation to the world.

This salty message stings as the heart, ears, and eyes are opened to the truth of our sinful nature. But the message does not leave us hopeless. It provides the solution for the stains of sin by purifying us through the blood of Christ. The message will fertilize spirituality as we grow in Him. The message will preserve the truth to offer the cure for the sin-infected soul. The message delivers strength, assures peace, gives life, promotes health, and renews the spirit.

In ancient times, salt was applied to the wicks of lamps to make the flame burn brighter. We who know Christ have been salted with God’s grace to cause our flames to burn bright for the world to see. We should always let it shine so that others can see Christ in us.

If we dilute the message or mix it with earthy substances, it becomes ineffective. Literal salt mixed like this will be used for gravel in paths and walks. It really is used to be trodden under foot of men, as the scripture says. We need to be careful to give the message of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us. There is no other way to enter the kingdom than through Him. This is the pure message, and we are the salt of the earth.

Help me Lord to never dilute or change Your true and righteous message. Amen