A Church Worth It’s Salt

Living Out Our Faith as the Salt of the Earth

In the heart of Jesus’ teachings lies a powerful metaphor regarding our role as believers – to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). This message, ‘A Church Worth Its Salt,’ delves into the significance of salt in preserving, purifying, and seasoning, and how these qualities parallel our Christian walk in today’s world. Salt, a precious commodity in ancient times, holds deep symbolic meaning in our faith journey.

“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.

Matthew 5:13 (NIV)

In Jesus’ day, salt had many different functions, but we see 3 major uses of it throughout scripture;

Preservation

Just as salt preserves food from decay, we are called to preserve what is good and moral in society. As advocates for Godly principles, we must be actively engaged in the world, not isolated from it. By embodying the beatitudes and promoting peace in the midst of conflict, we preserve God’s truth and love, making a tangible impact on those around us.

Purification

Living holy lives and embodying set-apartness is central to our faith. Like salt used in incense, we are called to be the fragrance of Christ to God among both believers and unbelievers. Our righteousness, grounded in nonconformity to worldly standards, signifies our covenant with God and flavors our offerings as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). Our conduct should reflect a transformative presence that draws others to Christ.

Seasoning

Just as salt enhances the flavor of food, our lives should bring a distinctiveness that sets us apart as followers of Christ. Are we standing out in a flavorless world? Our kindness, love, and compassion should mark us as Christians, making it evident to others that we are different. By bringing out the best in people through our actions and attitudes, we mirror the character of Christ in a world desperately in need of His flavor.

It is not enough to live out our faith in isolation; we must embody it both in our weekly gatherings and interactions with others. Welcoming those we have impacted during the week into our midst, we serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13) as a reflection of Christ’s selfless servanthood. Our Sunday gatherings should be a culmination of our witnessing throughout the week, a visible display of our faith in action.

Ultimately, Jesus warns against losing our saltiness, using a stark contrast between the beneficial uses of salt and its uselessness when spoiled or diluted. Similarly, some believers may have strayed from their call to make a difference, remaining stagnant in comfort zones. Others may have diluted their faith to the point of being ineffective. However, God extends an invitation to return to Him, to be renewed and restored to our purpose as salt-bearers in the world.

In conclusion, ‘A Church Worth Its Salt’ challenges us to embrace our role as God’s agents of change, flavoring the world with His love and truth. We are called to be active participants in preserving, purifying, and seasoning society, bringing forth the transformative power of the Gospel. May we heed Jesus’ call to be the salt of the earth, making a lasting impact and glorifying God in all we do.