June 21st
June 21st
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.”
You are the salt of the earth. These are Jesus’ own words. Why did He choose salt as the metaphor? There may be less understanding of the depth of this metaphor in modern times or at least in the western world. Salt has many uses. We all know that salt makes things taste better/enhances flavor. Jesus wants us to be the salt in the world, enhancing the good in the world (what little there is of it) and renew or redeem the world by magnifying the Truth so they can see it and choose Him. Salt also preserves meat from corruption or spoiling. Jesus wants us to hold back the evil in the world and preserve the Truth. Salt can also be used in healing. It can be mixed with honey for a salve. Jesus wants us to bring healing to the world.
The key is that He does all of these things through us and so we can only do all of these things if we stay in fellowship with Him everyday as followers not just believers. Our lives must revolve around Jesus. If this is the case we won’t even have to try to be salt, it will just pour out of us everywhere we go. BUT, if we do not fellowship with Him often, then we will not be of any more value than salt being used on icy ground, no nutritional value, nothing to offer others.
One of the reasons this is important is that our world lacks hope right now. Most people you talk to feel pretty hopeless about the future. Sadly, this includes some people who say they are Christians; however, they obviously haven’t read the end of the Book. The Truth that we have to share about the future is crucial. Yes, this world is “going to Hell in a handbasket,” no way around that, but people need to know that for them individually, there is hope. Hope not just for escape from inevitable destruction but hope for an incredible future with the Creator who loves them dearly.
So, how salty are you? Time for self-evaluation and reflection again. Better yet, let the Holy Spirit speak to you today. Let’s ask Him to pour His healing Truth into us each day so that we can be salt to the world.
Jesus, thank you for entrusting this important mission to me. Help me not to be so caught up in my own life that I forget that I have a more important purpose. Help me to find a way to spend time with you everyday so that I can be salt to those around me. Holy Spirit please give me a deeper understanding of what that means specifically in my life. Thank you for your patience and your love.