Welcome back and thank you for giving us a few minutes of your time. For the month of May we find the Beatitudes being followed by a summary statement that reflects the basic character of the Christian’s life. Our scripture this month is Matthew 5:13, this verse from the Sermon on the Mount describes the Christian as salt of the earth. Being a born again Christian carries with it an awesome joy that very few words can describe. With this joy comes a responsibility that is forged from Gods eternal love. With this responsibility comes an accountability which is cheerfully entered into through Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. As salt of the earth Christians carry a testimony through their lifestyle and behavior which has the authority to influence the world we live in. Though these attributes are present in every Christian they must be individually exercised. A biblically sound lifestyle and behavior that glorifies the Lord is what makes the Christian “salt of the earth.”
Why did the Lord use salt to describe a Christian? Let’s look briefly at what we know about salt. Salt is a preservative because it resists decay. Salt cannot reverse decay but it can prevent it from starting.
Notice from our scripture the Christian is not just any salt, we are “salt of the earth.” Earth translates the Greek word geÌ„ pronounced ghay and is defined by Strong’s Concordance as: “soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application).” People by nature are obsessed with material gain and earthly things. This obsession does not relate to our daily needs, rather it points to the corruption of greed, selfishness, power, immorality and similar sinful behaviors. The Lord plainly tells the Christian to have an arresting effect on the corruption of society. To do this requires the Christian to have a lifestyle and behavior which is founded on the word of God, one that equips us to transform the world for Jesus Christ and does not permit us to conform to it. Knowing the word ghay (earth) includes the occupants (mankind) and knowing “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” we may correctly state the earth (it’s occupants) is corrupt. The Christian should have within their heart a desire that leads us to be heavens influence as a stay for corruption of every form. Don’t misunderstand, I am not suggesting we become cold and indifferent. I am actually trying to lead in the opposite direction. We know salt prevents decay and corruption but did you realize it also adds tang and flavor; notice your foods. As salt of the earth we are to exert godly influence in an attractive manner being careful to not give a wrong impression of Christianity. Quoting Oliver Wendell Holmes “I might have entered the ministry if certain clergymen I knew had not looked and acted so much like undertakers.” This is not the Bibles description of a Christian, it is sadly the impression given by many, even today. Christian your experience of salvation should be joyous, that doesn’t mean you will have no trouble or issue, it does mean the Lord Jesus Christ will provide contentment that passes all understanding, as long as we follow Him.
This brings me to the last portion of this article. The Lord tells us “If the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” This is the effect of unrepentant sin in the life of a Christian. If left alone it will rob our testimony and influence for the Lord. How easily can that occur; we live in a day which easily satisfies greed, lust, pornography, sodomy and adultery to name just a few. Many Christians have found themselves tangled in these things, without meaning to be there. I am reminded of an old but true saying; “sin will take you farther than you wanted to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay and cost you more than you were willing to pay.” Sin is keeping many Christians from church, worship and serving the Lord but life doesn’t have to remain that way. Isn’t it time to come home? The Lord expects the Christian to be an influence, to achieve this requires obedience. Obedience is not difficult, dry or dull but it does have a cost and that cost is not to live a life that conforms to the world but live one that transforms the world to Jesus Christ. Until next month may God bless you is my prayer.
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