Ye Are the Salt of the Earth | Matthew 5:13

Matthew 5:13 "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."

Salt was a precious commodity in these days. It was used for seasoning, for currency, and for purifying. Salt is only precious when the useful elements are present. But when salt is left exposed, it absorbs moisture from the air, the salt itself is washed away, and you are left with a useless powdery substance.

Are We Salty?

We are the salt of the earth—that is a fact stated by our Lord—but are we salty? Or has exposure to the world we live in washed away our beneficial properties? I think of Lot. Season by season in Sodom, the exposure to their "filthy conversation" "vexed his righteous soul" until all the saltiness of this backslidden believer vanished and he failed to preserve the city he was living in. I think of Samson, who lost his savor by his constant exposure to the cultures and influence of the women he was with, until his eyes were gouged out and he was made a laughing stock before his enemies. These are a couple of examples of God's people who lost their savor and with it their usefulness.

Preserving Your Saltiness

How then can we preserve the saltiness that makes us useful to this world and our Lord? By careful protection from the outside elements. Salt has always been stored in vessels where moisture could not enter in and contaminate it. Our saltiness must be protected from the outside world. Spread around as much as is needed, but be sure you close up the container when you are done. Outward usefulness in the Christian life flows from our private walk with the Lord—that's where our savor is maintained or lost. Are you closed up with your Savior? Do you protect the relationship that infuses you with the savor of the Savior?

Protect your savor, which comes from your walk with the Savior. By it God will purify your life and the lives of those around you.

Salt creates thirst, and your saltiness makes men want a drink of living water. We fear being salty for the sake of those who are irritated by it, but remember there will be many whom it makes want what you have. Oh to be the man who makes men want the water of life! Lord, help me to stay salty!