Pass the Salt!
taken from a message given by Adrian Rogers
“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)
I heard a story of a little boy who one day asked his mother, “would you give me a dollar if I'll be a good boy?” She replied, “Son, why don't you be good for nothing like your father!” You know, there are a lot of Christians who are exactly that. They are good for nothing.
Jesus said they're like salt that's lost its savor. They are cast out, good for nothing but “to be trodden under foot of men.”
Why did Jesus use the metaphor “salt” to describe those who would be His followers? We need to look at the significance of salt in Jesus' time to understand.
In that society, pure salt was often more valuable than gold. As a matter of fact, salt was a rare delicacy and often a medium of exchange. We get our word salary from salt. It literally means “salt-money,” hence the expression, “That man is worth his salt.”
Salt was valuable because of what it did. If we are to be “the salt of the earth,” how then are we to “salt” our culture in this day?
Salt Seasons
Salt causes flavor to come alive. In the book of Job, we read this question, “Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?” (Job 6:6).
Most people are simply living bland, flavorless lives. That's the reason so many are striving to find some kind of a “high.” There's no excitement, no thrill. Their lives are tasteless. It's “the bland leading the bland.”
Christians must be different! We should give flavor and zest to life. That's the reason the Bible says in Colossians 4:6a, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt.” There should something about every Christian that's absolutely exciting.
Salt Preserves
Salt is also valuable because it preserves. Jesus was standing by the Sea of Galilee, teaching what we know as The Sermon on the Mount. Many in His audience were fishermen. When He spoke of being “the salt of the earth,” because of their occupation, they knew He was also talking about the preserving power of salt. In that day, salt prevented decay and restrained corruption. It was necessary to salt the fish down to keep them edible. If ever there was a day when we need the preserving power of Gospel salt, it is this day of corruption and deadly decay!
Salt Heals
Not only does salt season and preserve, salt heals. In 2 Kings 2:20-22, we read of Elisha putting a cruse of salt into deadly, polluted waters. Those waters were healed, and out of barrenness and bitterness there came blessedness. Salt has antiseptic and healing properties to it. As a matter of fact, in Bible times when little babies were born, they would give the baby a saline bath to hold down infection.
Salt Irritates
Have you ever gotten a cut on your hand, and then gotten salt in it? Salt definitely burns and irritates!
When Jesus said in Mark 9:49a, “for every one shall be salted with fire,” His figure of speech indicated that fire and salt have something in common: salt burns, like fire. Be aware that the truth of God's Word, when rubbed into this diseased world, will sting. There are many people who prefer a non-irritating brand of the Gospel. But the true Gospel, when presented, will irritate a sinful world. No offense, no effect.
Salt Penetrates
Salt has such powerful properties that just a pinch will permeate an entire gallon of water. In fact, it's one of the few major compounds that dissolve equally well in either hot or cold water. We must get the salt to the source, where it can penetrate, activate, and change society. We need to guard ourselves from becoming a salt warehouse. We need to be salt shakers. As one author wrote, “Out of the saltshaker, into the world!”
Why are Bible-believing Christians mocked in today's society? Why are we no longer respected? Because we have lost our saltiness. We've become good for nothing. Many Christians do not understand because they themselves are saltless saints. What will it take to bring us to our knees? If ever there was a need for the salt to work, it is at this hour. Corruption and decay are emerging around us—they are part of God's judgment. But God has said, “If My people....” Salty saints and the power of God can make the difference.
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This article is taken from a sermon by Adrian Rogers and is protected by copyright and International Law, and is solely owned by Love Worth Finding. Reproduction of this article for personal use is granted. But, the reproduction of this article, or any portion of it for distribution via print, audio, video, or Internet is prohibited. Remember, this article is to inspire the development of new messages to further the kingdom's work.
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