Salt of the Earth

A compilation

You are the salt of the earth.—Matthew 5:131

*

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.—Colossians 4:62

*

From the very early pages of Scripture, the portrayal of our world depicts a state of decay and countless living in darkness. To be “salt of the earth” is only significant in an environment of decay, and to be the “light of the world” is only significant in an environment of darkness. The Bible describes the process of decay as being in a state of perishing. Perishing is not a future state, though it has future implications. It is an ongoing present state. In 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul says, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.” And in 2 Corinthians 4:3, he says, “If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.” This is present tense.

The alternative to perishing is everlasting life, so in our perishing world, God sprinkles salt. In biblical times, salt was heavily used as an antiseptic and preservative to prevent decay, particularly in the fishing industry. Fish had to be packed between layers of salt to keep them fresh, and this was the context in which salt was familiar to the disciples. In effect, Jesus was saying to His disciples, as salt of the world, you are the antiseptic and antidote to a decaying world.

In John 17:18, Jesus prayed, “As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” We are all born into the world, but as Christians, we are sent into it, not to be isolated, or to integrate into the world, blending with it, but to infiltrate the world with the light of Christ. … It is His light that shines in us and through us, setting us apart for His work in this world.

As the Spirit of Christ works in us, the process of perishing is replaced with the process of living a life that grows increasingly in righteousness and fruitfulness. When we live our lives as “salt of the earth” and “light of the world,” we will have influence; not that people are drawn to us, but that through us God is shining His light and gaining their attention.—Charles Price

*

At a meeting some young people were discussing the text, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” One suggestion after another was made as to the meaning of “salt” in this verse. “Salt imparts a desirable flavor,” said one. “Salt preserves from decay,” another suggested.

Then a Chinese Christian girl spoke out of an experience none of the others had. “Salt creates thirst,” she said, and there was a sudden hush in the room. Everyone was thinking: Have I made others thirsty for the Lord Jesus Christ?—Author Unknown

*

The goal of having an alive, deep, and meaningful relationship with Jesus, of manifesting a Christian example and following Jesus' teachings, of living and working in unity with others, has always been to be able to be “the salt of the earth,” part of “the light of the world, a city set on a hill,” that attracts others to the Lord, so that they too can come to know and love Him, and, if they're willing, to help others to do the same.3

Preserving the spiritual strength and qualities that make this possible is essential to our job of reaching the world. A close and vibrant relationship with Jesus is one of the keys to our Christian testimony and our personal happiness. So it's only natural that we would want to do all we can to ensure that we stay close to the Lord and maintain a strong relationship with Him.—Peter Amsterdam

*

It’s quite awesome when you think of the responsibility that the Lord has laid on us and the commission that He has entrusted us with—to be missionaries for Him, to be the carriers of His love to the world. He has chosen each of us to represent Him to others, to be a physical manifestation of His love for them through our words, our prayers, and our deeds. What a privilege!—Maria Fontaine

*

My missionaries learn to see the power of God working in their lives and in other people's lives. Their hearts are broken for the poor and the destitute and the hungry in spirit of this world, and through their brokenness, through the tenderness of their hearts, I pour forth My love. Their tenderness opens the channels of My love, and they receive My love in greater measure. My love flows through in mighty waves, through mighty channels to fill them and to overflow on others.

My missionaries are the salt of the earth, and I sprinkle them freely across the nations that they may bring out the flavor of My love in all places where they go. They are blessed, and I love their obedience and yieldedness. They are learning to forsake the ways of the world. They are learning to lay aside the traditions of man and his values and his goals, that they may embrace the true riches, the true values, the values of heaven and the richness of My Spirit.

This life is a preparation for the world to come. This time on earth is a test, and those who choose My ways will find great reward in the next world and for all eternity!—Jesus, speaking in prophecy

*

In our society, influence generally indicates power over others—power that inevitably reflects back on the one who is influencing. But for [Christians], influence has very little to do with their own glory. Their influence is characterized by their work on behalf of others. Indeed, their influence is not about making a name for themselves, but rather about lifting up those without names and faces who have no influence, and who most of the world will never know: homeless men and women, child-victims of the sex trafficking industry. ... Offering their lives in this way opens up the possibility of creating lastinginfluence in the lives of the world’s least influential.

When Jesus spoke about influence in his Sermon on the Mount, he likened it to salt. Salt is not a flashy spice like cayenne pepper or nutmeg. It rarely calls attention to itself as a predominant flavor. Salt is basic. And yet, salt is essential. Without it, food is bland and tasteless, for salt enlivens all the flavors. Without it, decay and degradation ensue, for salt preserves and produces longevity. Salt cleanses and heals. In recipes, salt serves all the other ingredients by coaxing out and enhancing their fullest expression and flavor. Jesus calls his followers to be influencers in the way that salt influences a meal: often in the background, and not a self-promoting or singular flavor. … Influence is like salt; it may be the behind-the-scenes player in the world of ingredients, often hardly noticed, yet powerfully effective in creating a full and lasting result.—Margaret Manning4

*

In the ancient world the influence of Christians acting as salt and light brought a stop to infanticide, ended slavery, liberated women, and created hospitals, orphanages, and schools. During the medieval era, Christianity kept classical culture alive through copying manuscripts, building libraries, and inventing colleges and universities. In the modern era, Christians led the way in the development of science, political and economic freedom, and provided what is arguably the greatest source of inspiration for art, literature, and music. What will Christians do in our day?

When we live like salt and light, with lives infused by Christ, it affects the world around us in disproportionate measure. … The key to making a difference is not a massive program but what some have called the “monastic option”—humble, deliberate acts of cultural preservation. This is precisely what a deepened soul with a developed mind, following God’s call and rooted in a church, accomplishes. Small, individual acts of living like and for Christ.—James Emery White

Published on Anchor April 2014. Read by Irene Quiti Vera.
Music by Daniel Sozzi.


1 NIV.

2 NIV.

3 Matthew 5:13–14.

4 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.