Salt
Looking at the Bible, we should read Matthew 5:13,
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.
Salt is a necessity of life and was a mineral that was used since ancient times in many cultures as a seasoning, a preservative, a disinfectant, a component of ceremonial offerings, and as a unit of exchange. The Bible contains numerous references to salt.
Salt is transparent and colorless in crystalline form – rather like ice. Crystallizes in the isometric system, usually in the form of cubes. Soluble in water, at 35.6g/100g at 0°C and 39.2g/100g at 100°. Slightly soluble in alcohol, but insoluble in concentrated hydrochloric acid.
As we describe salt, I must ask: does this really help you with what God needs from you? No, it doesn’t. Then, what is Jesus really talking about? Jesus explains that it does no good to jump into the Christian life and then slowly drift away. Citizens of the kingdom of God need to remain “salty” — or, to be strong in the faith. If they don’t, at best they are useless; at worst they prove they aren’t really Christians.
When Jesus mentions salt, everyone knew its primary role as a preservative. In essence, Jesus tells His disciples and us today: We are agents of preservation. By referring to us as “the salt of the earth,” Jesus is telling us we should be affecting our fellow humans with joy for life that comes from the Lord. As salt affects food for flavor, believers in Christ should affect the world by the way we live and act toward one another. This is what we are to be. We are to be the salt of the earth here in our neighborhoods and on the streets of our community. And we are to be His salt; therefore, we need to do things for Him, like in the Beatitudes.
Jesus is saying that, when we actually follow him, we are the salt of the earth. In fact, this passage needs to be connected to the famous Beatitudes that precede it: these statements of blessedness, these characteristics and qualities that God is producing in us.
Like salt, we are to bring out the better nature of those around us. The result will naturally be greater peace with each other. The sentiment brings to mind the ancient salt vow. If two people shared salt, they were bound to defend and support each other, even if they had been enemies.
The phrase derives from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: “You are the salt of the earth.” (Matthew 5:13) Jesus meant that the common people he was addressing – fishermen, shepherds, laborers – were worthy and virtuous. He was alluding not to the tang of salt, but to its value. And He is talking about us. This is who we are. This is us, as we are in God’s world. If we are not salt, then what are we? If we are not salt, then we can be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
Is that what you really want? Do you want to be somebody’s refuse? NO. We do not deserve this, and therefore, we are not somebody’s refuse. But think of this: if we are salt, then we must adhere to Christ’s plans for us. And that means being real Christians, and not something that slowly drifts away.
Being called the salt of the earth is one of the highest compliments you will ever receive. It was used in the Bible to connote the value of the person (as in very valuable), since salt had a lot of value at the time for preserving food without refrigeration.
So, like salt, we are to bring out the better nature of those around us. The result will naturally be greater peace with each other. The sentiment brings to mind the ancient salt vow. If two people shared salt, they were bound to defend and support each other, even if they had been enemies, and that is what we need to be: friends, always.
Light
Looking at the Bible, we need to read Matthew 5:14–16,
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its
stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light
shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in
heaven.
Jesus says that his followers are the light, saying we “are the light of the world,” unable to be hidden. No one puts a lamp under a bowl because a lamp is designed to help people see in dark places. Christ’s words and actions showed the true nature of the world around Him.
Spiritually speaking, there is no light in the world apart from Jesus Christ. His light, though, shines through every person who belongs to Him. In this way, the light of Christ is distributed into the darkness in every corner of humanity. That this light is meant to be visible to the world is also important.
How do you become the light of the world? You may want to start and end your day reading the Word of God. This is the Bible, and I would start with the New Testament. You may also want to memorize God’s promises to you and to others. If you draw near to God, then He will draw near to you, and this is what you want. Love your neighbor, and we will talk of this again. Pray for people in your life, and also pray for people who are opposed to you and why you are opposed to them. And hear what Jesus is telling you as you pray. You may want to give to those in need. If you do, get involved in meeting the needs of others. All show acts of kindness in all that you do. Encourage those who are discouraged and give the gift of love, peace, gentleness, patience, grace, and kindness.
If you do this, then you are the light of the world. This is not a simple thing. You have to do this when people are nasty, frustrated, and angry with you, even if it is not you. This is being a real Christian. This is hard. And it is fraught with disaster. But with having God in your mind, it is possible.
And as you are a Christian, let your light shine out so that others can see it, and give so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Now, you are a Christian!