The Bible says:
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
— Matthew 5: 13
Unlike light that is in this world but not of this world, salt is in this world but taken out of the world.
Christians, because they are in this world but not of this world because of their new birth are the light of the world. (Matthew 5: 14; John 17: 14, 16) Because Christians, before being saved, were of the world system and were then taken out of the system when they were saved are the salt of the earth.
“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of this world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”
— Matthew 15: 19
They then were sent back into the world to preach gospel. (John 20: 21) Men and most animals need salt to maintain good health. Salt is used in the chemical industry, in the medical field, in steel manufacturing, in tanning hides, in paints, in ink, in baking powders, in insecticides, in antiseptics, for preserving foods, and for flavoring food.
When salt loses its “savour” or becomes flat and tasteless because it’s lost its strength and flavor, it is “good for nothing.”
God told Jeremiah that Israel was “good for nothing.”
“This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.”
— Jeremiah 13: 10
A Christian loses his savour and becomes good for nothing or not good for anything God can use when they turn from the Word and go back into the world and live in rebellion against God. They then become ineffective for God as a witness to the world.
Years ago, parents often chose to name their children after some virtue such as Faith, Hope, Patience, Grace, and Charity in hopes that they would grow to possess and exemplify the virtue they were named after. Elder Brewster (1567-1644) named his two sons Love and Wrestling.
God named His children “Light” and “Salt” in hopes that they would grow up and exemplify the characteristics of light and salt and be an effective witness in a dark and corrupt world. Truth is “true light” and preserving salt are an irritant to those raw against God.
Christian success is being the light of the world and the salt of the earth.
James H. Cagle is a Ray City resident who pastored several churches for a total of 11 years. Email him at [email protected]
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