Being Salty

The community where we live has a monthly dinner, each with a theme. Last night was “Pub Night” and I worried about salt because it affects my health. However, the food was amazing and not overly salty. By God’s design, today’s devotional reading gave me this:

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. 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 5:13–16)

I’m to be the “salt of the earth” and that is not garlic, paprika, or sugar. Jesus used salt to illustrate my role as one who preserves and fends off decay, who heals and soothes with medicinal value and who brings flavor and enhances other flavors. Yet salt only “works” when it’s out of the saltshaker. I cannot hide in my sewing room, or leave this to others by doing my own thing. 

These verses talk about losing saltiness, not just a word to me but the entire church family must guard against a loss of vision, passion and flavor. This happens when we do not deal with the sin remaining in us. Lest anyone think there is none, note what Paul wrote:

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. (Philippians 3:12)
But I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. (Romans 7:23)

Jesus even said we must pray asking God to “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12) and John wrote: 

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8–9)

Other NT passages tell me to put to death the deeds of the body meaning what is earthly or sinful in me. I will not be perfect (like Jesus) until I see Him face to face, but I cannot be complacent about this battle lest I lose whatever “salt” He has put in me.

This goes for the entire family of God. I pray for others who are in this battle, and also for those who have not yet received the righteousness that comes by faith. Some are continually paralyzed by guilt and constantly assaulted by “the accuser of the brethren” about real and imaginary failures. They need to remember, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

Others are troubled by old wounds, pain and grief, abuse or other trauma. They need wisdom, love, patience and kindness, all fruit of God’s Spirit. 

Some struggle with obsessions and addictions such as pornography and other sexual entanglements, chemical and drug abuse, eating disorders, self-righteousness and legalism, greed, gossip, preoccupation with physical beauty, and so many other conditions for which the gospel alone provides sufficient power and grace to overcome.

Others are burdened by the demands of caregiving or other situations that deplete them emotionally, financially, spiritually, and physically. Salty Christians must pray for those who have lost their zest for life by the struggles of life.

PRAY: Lord, I have much on my heart and much to pray about. Fill me with the hope of the gospel and the energy of faith that trusts You for all needs, mine and others. I sometimes ask God to make me be salt and light to the unsaved, but I realize that Your dear children also need salt and light, as well as support in prayer. We are in this together. Stir our heats, restoring all of us to full gospel sanity, full joy in You and in Your plan for us, for our church, and the world around us.