“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)
As representatives of Jesus Christ, we must work hard to pursue His will for our lives. We must take up our crosses daily and decide to follow Jesus through every obstacle that presents itself. We must seek Christ as our greatest treasure and satisfaction. We live in very trying and troubling times, but we must hold tight and be steady in our work, for the Lord will be blessed by our obedience towards Him.
No matter how terrible the storm appears within the world and our ship seems to be on the verge of total destruction from the evil one, we should not panic but squeeze a little harder on the hand of Jesus and have faith that things will be alright according to His will. “And when He was entered into a ship, His disciples followed Him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but He was asleep. And His disciples came to Him, and awoke Him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And He saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!” (Matthew 8: 23-27)
We must trust with our whole heart that God will provide us with all we need to perform the work He has predestined us to do. All we need to do is believe and obey. He knows how weak we are and all the areas we lack but yet He still assigned every one of us according to our abilities in Him. “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12 :9-10)
Salt draws out the good flavors subtly hidden in food and preserves what would otherwise spoil, as do those who claim to be children of God. There is good in everyone that needs to be drawn out and there is no one on earth whom Jesus does not love and wants to save from the damnation of fire and brimstone. Our daily work should be guiding and pointing souls to the Lord. We are to live, walk, speak in such a way that people see past our physical being only seeing and hearing the voice of the Lord. What are we doing? If we chase our plans, goals, and ambitions, or that of the world, we lose our saltiness. We as believers today must be the salt and light to influence, improve and make the world a better place wherever we go and whatever we do.
Colossians 4: 6 tells us, "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." His presence in our lives permeates all that we do, even our speech. Our conversation is to be wholesome and helpful to others. Our reactions to all things ought to bring glory and honor to God. If we lose our saltiness, how are people to taste the goodness of God? When we love people for who they are, it can reveal their best and encourage them to grow, just as salt adds wonderful flavor to food. We can be vessels of God's love to the people He purposefully places around us.
I have been before God, seeking help in my communications around the subject of politics. I have witnessed the damage this topic has caused in families, friendships and even causing people to lose their lives for their political views. I have realized that I cannot say or do anything to change a person's political view and shouldn't be trying. As I prayed, the Spirit told me to stop talking about politics; what profit is it of God? Be the salt of the world and talk about things that point people in the direction of Christ. I am to be about His business, which is saving the soul. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5: 14-16)
Jesus came for us to live life to the full, be the salt of the earth and the world's light. In us, He is beaming through our flesh to brighten up this world with peace and love that transcend human understanding. He is the salt. It is He in us that makes us visibly and audibly different. He's imploring us not to lose Him. Keep seeking, knocking, and pursuing Him. We can remain the salt of the earth by growing in a relationship with Christ through our daily pursuit of Him through His word and prayer. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, gifted to us on account of Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross, we know we're never alone. As we follow and remain in Him, we can let go of the things of this world and gradually take hold of all things eternal. We focus less on material possessions, awards and accolades. We are here as “salt of the earth,” to be a blessing to the world, glorifying Christ in our daily life.
Jesus wants us to make a difference in this world. To do that, we must take up the call to live differently. The world doesn't need more of itself; it needs more of Jesus. Salt is common, often sitting on our cabinet shelves until we pull it out to season something. Brothers and Sisters, we will live our lives shelved unless we choose to allow Christ to use us in this life. We have the opportunity to participate in His Kingdom work. The eternal reward is ours to behold, and we look forward to receiving as promised! But it's not just heaven we have to reach for, though it is the ultimate reward. Jesus died for us to live today's life to the fullest in Him. When we let Him shake us up and work through our lives, we experience His peace and love here and now. We operate as the salt of the earth in the small, everyday decisions to choose and follow Jesus. “Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.” (Mark 9: 50)
Consider this. I am sure you will recognize that this is the current status of the world we live in today. “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, Who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” (Romans 1: 20-32)
The above passage from Brother Paul rings so true today. Recently, during the Supreme court confirmation hearings, the candidate to this nation's highest court was unable or refused to give a definition of a woman. She had earlier confessed her belief in Christ claiming her Protestant faith but then denied that which was created by Christ. This world as we know it is in decline. As we read over in Genesis, Chapter 18, we can see where Abraham petitioned with the Lord concerning destroying the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, for their sin had become so grievous to the Lord. Abraham starts by asking the Lord if He would spare the city if there were just fifty righteous souls. The Lord agreed not to destroy the cities on behalf of just fifty righteous souls. After considering the stench coming from the two cities, Abraham continues to reason with God down to ten righteous souls before the Lord stops communicating with Abraham on this issue. “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6: 5)
The world as we know it is becoming entirely corrupt. We see it in our politics, schools, jobs, media, family, friends and most sadly, within the church. When the Bible said “every imagination,” it means 100% as there were no good thoughts in men. How horrifying and hard to comprehend human beings in that state of mind. Scary if you ask me. We are the same righteous people that Abraham petitioned God for in those days of old. When we are taking our rightful position in the army of God, we prevent and intercede for those of have not yet come to Jesus as their Savior. We preserve society by being the salt of the earth. We do this by righteous influence in practicing godly behavior, caring for the weak and vulnerable in society, practicing honesty and integrity, championing moral causes, condemning sin, etc. Being the salt of the earth will spur hatred and anger in some, but with others, it will draw them to repentance. It will initially show up in anger for many and then lead to repentance.
Being part of the minority (true believers of Christ Jesus), we will find it hard to have conversations with most people as they are steadfast in the obedience of their master the Devil which is at direct odds with our core being. There is a song called “Can You Relate” and two of the verses say, “Have you gone too far to find the middle ground; Has there been a time you stayed when you should have run.” I speak for myself as I have often reflected on previous conversations where I regretted not speaking up when I should have, speaking too fast when I should have stayed quiet, laughed at something when I shouldn’t have or simply gave a pass because of a person’s position in society. “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.” (Romans 14: 13). We pray to never be the cause of anyone stumbling. By claiming to be a follower of Christ and not living according to the Word will cause others to fall. We do not want to be thrown out and be trampled on by not doing what we have been instructed to which is to be the salt of the earth.
When we profess to be Christians, people look at us continually observing every one of our actions and reactions, listening to every word that proceeds from our mouth, waiting to point out any flaws. They will not miss the tiniest slip up. Many people do not witness us at church but see us at work, in stores, schools, and draw conclusions based on what they see. As we have confessed our faith in Him, we are collectively just as noticeable as a city on the hill where we are seen from all sides. There is no replacement for light so, as we are the light of the world we cannot be replaced, no one else can take our position or do our jobs for Christ.
The world is supposed to decay because it is infected with the most dangerous disease of all which is called SIN, and when it is fully grown, it always produces death. “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1: 15) When we look around and we see the corruption permeating the world we must ask, "Where is the remnant? Where is the salt that retards decay and provokes righteousness?" My dear Brothers and Sisters, we are the salt that must provoke righteousness in others seen and unseen. Our walk must be distinguishable from all others. No, we don't go around disturbing people or modifying everything we see is wrong in them. We are to remain connected to the Vine and let Him work through us. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.” (John 15: 5)
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6: 12) The devil is not going to allow us to have a free pass in doing the work of the Lord. With so much ugliness in the world and the manipulation by Satan and his demonic followers, many people have turned away from God and will consider us as naïve, simple-minded, unevolved or worse. For the Devil has polluted the truth so much that people would believe anything as long as it benefits them. We witness many so-called religious leaders distancing themselves from the truth that what they preach is unrecognizable to the ears. But we must continue the fight until God calls us home. We will not be discouraged by all the noise of the world and we will continue to confess His name loudly and boldly without fear. We will continue to do as God has directed us to do and that is to be the salt of the earth by illuminating light towards God. “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.” (2 Peter 2: 1-2)
I conclude with this as we continue to submit ourselves before the Lord, praying for everything and everyone according to His will that we remember that suffering for Christ is worth it. Others may not understand and call us naïve but thank God for His grace and mercy. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part, He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” (1 Peter 4: 12-19)
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1: 9) Let's stay encouraged, dear ones, better days are ahead, the promise is ours if we hold on until the end. Let us be sober in our work, for we all have individual tasks assigned to us by God. Let us not be concerned with what others are doing or not doing, focus on our assigned task at hand. Let's continue encouraging and praying for one another. We are children of the day and not the night, we are the salt of the earth, we've been given all the tools necessary to do our assigned tasks so we have no excuse for we lack nothing.
“And the Lord, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31: 8)
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