Did you know there are thousands of uses for salt? The most obvious place we use salt is in the kitchen for cooking. However, it’s also used in skin care, cleaning, bleaching, soap and deodorizing.
Salt, which is known as sodium chloride (NaCl), comes from the Latin word, sal. This is the same root word where we get the word salary. In the past, salt was used as a bartering tool or could even been used as a type of payment. It was a highly valued commodity.
In biblical times, salt was crucial. It was used to preserve food, but also to enhance the flavor of food. However, I want to talk about four reasons why being like salt is so important as a Christian.
1. Essential
Salt is an amazing element that is essential. Did you know that if you don’t consume enough salt it can be deadly? Having too low a salt index can cause dizziness, heart attacks, strokes and other terrible side effects. Salt is vital for human life.
As Christians we are given various gifts by the Lord and as the body of Christ, we can be used in thousands of different ways. We are essential in advancing the kingdom of Christ. A lack of Christians doing God’s work could be deadly for our society. Just as salt is sprinkled on food, we should be sprinkled throughout our communities and interacting with those who need hope, peace, and love.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10
2. Valuable
Salt was and is considered very valuable. We may not understand how valuable it is now because it’s readily available to us. That wasn’t always the case. The fact that Jesus uses this particular element in describing His followers, should remind us of our value. We play a significant role in our families, jobs and communities.
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. Matthew 5:13
So how can salt lose its saltiness? This word for ‘lost its taste’ is the Greek word moraino (G3471) which can be translated to mean, being or acting foolish, to make foolish or to make tasteless. When referring to salt it can mean it lost its strength or flavor. Interestingly, it’s the same word in Romans 1:22 which says:
This may be Jesus’ reminder to be diligent in seeking Him and in helping others. The last thing you would want is useless salt. You would have no reason to keep salt that wasn’t effective. So let us not be foolish or lacking in strength!
3. Preservation
Salt makes food inhospitable for bacteria and as a result it can be used as a preservation tool. Meats and other desirable foods can last much longer with the use of salt. This discovery was crucial in times when food was lacking and older supplies were needed. Additionally, if provisions went bad it could be a matter of life or death.
As Christians we are needed to preserve God’s love in the world. Without it we may witness the decay of society. Christians, like salt, should make sin inhospitable wherever they go. Sadly, we are seeing a lot of corruption in our communities. Could this be because the church is not as strong as it used to be? Are we afraid to stand for what is right for fear of being rejected and cancelled?
Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the juice of the mallow? My appetite refuses to touch them; they are as food that is loathsome to me. Job 6:6-7
Though nobody quite knows what mallow means, we can still get the point of the scripture. Let us not lose our effectiveness. We must be strong in truth and grace. Which leads to my next point – flavor.
4. Flavor
Can you imagine how bland everything would taste without salt? Flavor brings joy. Salt enhances the taste of the food, making it more enjoyable. When we spend time with God and consistently read His Word, we are better equipped to address various situations. Knowing God personally helps us help others.
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6
When we spend enough time with Jesus we are able to understand His character and His heart. By doing this, we also are ready to share the good news with others. We should be ready in season and out of season. That is why it’s crucial to have a close relationship with the Lord. So rejoice that we are the salt of the earth. Let’s make earth inhospitable for sin!
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:1-2
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