Salt is vital to life. It has many useful purposes but if used incorrectly, it can be detrimental. The Readers Digest lists more than 60 uses of salt. What would food taste like if there was no salt? We are so used to eating with salt that we often take it for granted. Salt was even used for strengthening new born babies (Ezekiel 16:4) and purifying things (2 Kings 2:20-21).
Recently my food was flavourless and no matter how much ingredients I used, it just didn’t taste good. My salt was not right; it had lost its flavour. Did you know that we are referred to as the salt of the earth? We add flavour to our circle of family and friends. When a good friend dies, don’t you miss them dearly? Similarly, when a person gets sick with a debilitating condition, don’t you miss their former self?
Matthew 5:1-13 talks about who is the salt of the earth. In Matthew 5:13 (NASB) we read, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.” God has made us all with a plan and purpose in mind and no matter what role we play, we are important and useful. If we don’t do what we are supposed to do, of what use are we?
Too often, we compare ourselves and denigrate our role. This is not a good thing to do! It affects our perception of life in a very negative way. We can become envious of the person we compare ourselves with and we bring ourselves down in the process. Do not do that; it is foolish and counter-productive!
If we are to be the salt of the earth, how should we live? Mark 9:50 (NASB) says, “Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” We need wisdom to know how to conduct our affairs with others. This will make our communication smooth and tasteful. Colossians 4:6 (NASB) says, “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” How good it is to listen to a speaker seasoned with integrity and wisdom!
Mark 9:50 says salt is good but note verse 49, “For everyone will be salted with fire.” Rest assured there is destruction coming on the wicked, just like in Sodom and Gomorrah. Deuteronomy 29:23a (NASB) says, “All its land is brimstone and salt, a burning waste, unsown and unproductive, and no grass grows in it.” Be salt, not a heap of waste! ◊
Linda Pearl
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