IMPACT AS SALT (1)

“SALT is GOOD, but if the SALT has lost its FLAVOR, how shall it be SEASONED?” – Luke 14:34

Believers in Christ are redeemed and purposed to have IMPACT as SALT of the earth: “SALT is GOOD, but if the SALT has lost its FLAVOR, how shall it be seasoned?” (Lk.14:34). In this passage of scripture, the Lord Jesus Christ used the metaphor SALT to teach that His true disciples must be loyal to Him above all else, and be willing to sacrifice their lives, families, and possessions. The grave warning is that those who are not faithful, sacrificial, or generous will be useless as His disciples, just as salt that has lost is saltiness is worthless.

Earlier in Matthew 5:13, the Lord had unveiled the Believer’s Key Identities: “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 tramples underfoot by men.” Chapters 5 to 7 of Matthew’s Gospel contain the Sermon on the Mount, which is the Kingdom Handbook, beginning with the Beatitudes – the characteristics of Kingdom Citizens on earth. These were followed by the use of the striking metaphors of Salt and Light – two great Agents of Impact, and a city set on a hill, to elucidate the functions of Christ’s followers; what we are potentially in Christ and the Ideal that we are meant to live up to.

SALT is GOOD and very valuable to humanity. Salt was so common in Jesus’ day that it was used as a form of payment for Roman soldiers. If one of them was not performing his duties well, it was said that “he wasn’t worth his salt.” Salt was used to flavour and preserve foods like fish, especially in the days when there was no refrigeration. The basic functions of salt are to: preserve food from decay; season or enhance the flavour or taste of food; disinfect wounds; and induce thirst. God has called every Believer in Christ to fulfil these functions!

As salt of the earth, we counteract the corruption in the world, preserving it from quick decay. We season and sweeten society with the flavour of God’s Word and the aroma of His Spirit. We are agents of righteousness, raised to make people thirsty for the Living Water which Christ alone provides. As salt, we add uniqueness to the flavour of life on earth, to be purer and more palatable; and help to keep society from spoiling. We are called to fertilize the good and disinfect the bad in society. In following Jesus, we become more like Him in goodness, doing of good works, and the absence of vices. Men should see our “good works” and glorify our Father in heaven (Mt.5:16).

As we meditate on the qualities and functions of salt, may God’s potential in us be ignited for IMPACT as SALT of the earth, preserving, seasoning, disinfecting, and creating thirst for righteousness, in Jesus’ name!