The Salt of the Earth

Introduction

Christ continues his description of what a Christian/disciple is-follows beatitudes w/two more descriptions that have to do with life witness of believer.-salt/light. Today deal w/first-vs 13-You are the salt of the earth.

• You are the Salt of the Earth (13a)
• Not a command to be but a declaration of what is-not become the salt of the earth-but you already are the salt of the earth. Description of effect you as a Xn have on the world;. Life witness; Main idea here--preservative aspect of salt No refrigerators; if meat spoils no good; salt kept from spoiling
• Seems to be a number of ideas that grow from this preservative aspect of salt applied to Xn life witness-- sometimes like grains of salt seem small/insignificant-but then we are needed and then impact huge:

• As preservative-to keep society from fully spoiling- the way a Xn lives does have impact on such areas. Xns whose lives reflect marks in beatitudes help prevent total moral rot
• Moral hygiene--Ezekiel 16:4, protect infant from germs; world needs Xns who will take a stand for God/his kingdom/his Law-not convert society but can stem the tide of moral filth/indifference; e.g., the Xn in work place who does not laugh at filthy jokes/honesty in business dealings
• Prevention of Evil-Judges 9:45 et al, prevented crops from growing; similarly, Christian influence has retarded, at least euthanasia, other evils.
• Another aspect of salt: Seasoning-adds zest/flavour to food; in same way, Christians make God/real Xty look attractive. Our being different in life/values will gain a hearing for gospel. How?
• Speech--Col 4:6-let speech be seasoned w/salt.
• Faithfulness-salt of Covenant added to sacrifices a sign of Covenant Faithfulness/perpetual obligation. As Christians our lives should reflect faithfulness to God and others-show we can be trusted (Boardwalk chapel employees).
• Jesus main point is the moral impact of the life witness of believers-your life as a disciple is a reflection of Christ/his Kingdom/power.. When people see you they are seeing Jesus and discovering what they should think about him. You are the salt of the earth-you do the work of the Lord just by your very presence.
• For this reason Jesus adds a warning: You are the salt of the earth BUT
• Beware of losing your flavour (13b)

• Jesus likely has the salt of the Dead Sea in mind here-filled w/salt--all of it stale/has alkaline/bad taste to it; useless as a preservative/seasoning. Why? Adulterated by foreign substances in it from the water.
• Thus Jesus warning us of foreign matter in our lives that will ruin our life witness-things foreign to Kingdom of God--guard against/keep out. What things?
• Worldliness/worldly values-desire to be like the world (rem how Israel wanted a king?); adopting world's values, seeking to be as much like world as possible (I can be a Xn and not be so different)
• Personal besetting sins-evil things you are willing to put up with (rem Solomon's proclivity to multiply wives; Israel's tolerance of idols)
• Not willing to forsake all you have to follow Jesus-Luke 14:33-35
• Unbiblical ambitions-groping for power/wealth/popularity/ chief ends in your life; would sin to get
• Such foreign matter renders you useless-(end of verse); no longer represent Christ/Kingdom; no good to world as preservative/seasoning; no moral impact made anymore (e.g., Newt Gingrich in impeachment battle). Turns world off of Christ. Tragic, yes, BUT Worse than tragic-sign OF no true faith in Christ: Hebrews 6:4-6. Is this true of you? 2 possible reasons-grown sloppy, not a Xn-either case need repent and ask Jesus to save you from it-otherwise you will be lost for all eternity.

Conclusion

If a believer/Christian you are the salt of the earth. Beware then of allowing anything to be in/influence your life in such a way as to destroy your life-witness/destroy your faithfulness to Christ. You represent Kingdom of God-when people see you, they are looking at Jesus. Question is: what is your life telling them about Jesus?

Rev. Arthur J. Fox, Pastor
10 Spruce Street
Middletown, PA 17057
(717) 944-5835