Stand Firm/Love Well | What Jesus Showed Us | Salt of the Earth

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?”  Matthew 5:13

“These eggs don’t taste right,” Bill commented and laid down his fork. Stan frowned and looked for their waitress. “Yeah, the last time I ate here, something was off. Wonder if they got a new cook? This tastes bland.” A smiling waitress appeared at their table. “Everything okay here, gentlemen?” Bill shook his head. “This doesn’t taste right, I’ve had breakfast here for years and always enjoyed it. You got somebody new in the kitchen?” The waitress beamed with pride. “Oh yes, Chef Liberal came highly recommended. He doesn’t use salt, and he believes in celebrating the natural flavors of the food.” 

Would you eat in a such a restaurant? Probably not. Natural flavors are not enough without a little salt. We don’t enjoy salt for itself, but for what it does. It enhances taste, preserves food, and disinfects. Salt is best in small doses: a sprinkle of salt on a plate of food brings out the flavor; a cup of salt ruins the taste.

When Jesus compared His followers to salt, He meant that we are to sprinkle truth, love, goodness, grace, and the gospel on every interaction. If we copy the world’s values and behavior, we lose our saltiness, and we become bland and useless. A Christian’s words and actions should lift culture up, not participate in its downfall. But at the other extreme, judging, demanding our rights, or using the Bible as a whip is like dumping a cup of salt on a plate of food: no one wants it. Salt is powerful. It is good. And when used wisely, it benefits everyone. 

Final Thought: Are you living like the salt of the earth?

Prayer: Father, I’ve been guilty of both extremes: participating in evil and dumping salt that drove people away. Help me learn what it means to be the salt of the earth. I want to use just the right amount for every situation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.