Matthew 5.13
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.”
This is the “Why” of following Jesus. This is the purpose for which God created and redeemed us. This is the ultimate act of faith and wisdom. God put us on this planet to make a difference.
But in order to make a difference we must be different. As the verse quoted above says, the followers of Jesus are “the salt of the earth.” Salt had two purposes in the ancient world. It was used as a preservative to keep food from spoiling, and it was used as a seasoning to give flavor to food. What a great analogy of the Christian life! The Lord sends us into the world to combat the decay, distortion, and deterioration that is in the world because of sin. And He also sends us into the world to give flavor and meaning to life and to work. To bring purpose and passion to everything we do. To be agents of the kingdom of God.
However, Jesus makes the point that in order to function as salt, we must be salty. If we have lost our “saltiness,” then we are no longer accomplishing the purpose for which He created and redeemed us. By “saltiness” He means living and working in alignment with His standards and principles. Saltiness = obedience.
In other words, if we are to make a difference, then we must be different.
To emphasize the importance of a life that makes a difference, Jesus follows up with a second analogy in the Sermon on the Mount. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5.14-16).
The alternative is that we have lost our saltiness and our light is “under a bushel,” and we do not make a difference. We absorb the mindset and standards of modern culture and do our job and interact with our family and friends just like everyone else in the fallen world. Rather than representing Jesus, we reflect the world.
Light illuminates the darkness. Salt preserves against decay, and it adds flavor. By analogy, that is a clear picture of how we should live and work every day as followers of Christ. So here is what we should ask ourselves: In my job and family and friendships, do I make a difference? Am I a source of light every day? Can people see in my life and my work the presence of something special?
May we hear and respond to the call of Christ. May we commit ourselves every day to the purpose for which God saved us. May we obey His principles and trust in His power. May we be salt in the midst of decay and light in the midst of darkness …and make a difference every day.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12.1-2).
