SALT OF THE EARTH: HEALING, PRESERVING, AND SEASONING

^{Mathhew 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.


I have been meditating this morning on this verse that says we are to be the "salt of the earth". This speaks one aspect of how we are to relate to the world that we live in. What does being salt mean for us as Christians? There are several functions that salt has that we should consider. We have to remember the uses of salt in the day of Jesus to properly interpret what Christ wanted us to realize from this verse. There are three basic uses for salt that I want to look at today.


First, we need need to look at the fact that in Jesus day, salt was used as a healing agent. In Biblical times, salt was used on open wounds to dry up the wound and protect from bacteria. Although they did not know about bacteria, healers used salt because it was a tried and true mineral that had a history of being effective as a healing agent. If we are the salt of the earth we are an agent of God's healing to a wounded and hurting world. People are walking around with deep, open wounds from a cruel and uncaring world. When we take the time to minister the love of Jesus that has been given us, healing occurs. We help to dry up those hurts that have been plaguing folks for years and years. We also reduce the possibility of those wounds becoming further infected because as we continue to apply God's love to those around us, we keep in check the lack of forgiveness and bitterness that naturally comes when further exposed to the sinful world.


Another use for salt in those days was to preserve. This world is full of destruction and decay. As we walk through this world we should be an element of preservation. People are delivered from the things that destroy and cause life to fall apart and decay. Many people have been touched by God's love and preserved for ETERNITY as they put their faith and trust in the Lord God. His touch has preserved families, jobs, relationships, and other areas of life that are so important to living abundantly.


The last area that I want to focus on is the seasoning character of salt. Salt has been used for millennia to add great taste to the bland things of this life. Many people think that being a Christian is dull and boring. These people are living in deception because the life we have in Christ is exciting and produces a well seasoned life that can be enjoyed to the fullest. As we live in this world we should add our convictions, our input, and our commitment to everyday life. God is so good to point others to Himself through the way we live our lives. The goodness of God and our reliance on Him should leave a great taste in the mouth of a world that is tired of the dullness of living a life with no purpose or plan...remember what the word of God says in Psalm 34:8 "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."

We are the salt of the earth...if not used properly, what good are we...BE SALT AND CHANGE YOUR WORLD....that's what I've been thinking....