Be More Salty

[Mt 5:13-16]

Salt purifies, cleanses, and preserves from corruption. In Matthew 5:13 Jesus was illustrating a spiritual concept to the disciples. They were to circulate among and purify the corrupted mass of mankind by their heavenly doctrines and holy examples.

Mt 5:13-16 (ESV) – [13] “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. [14] “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] 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. [16] 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.

“Lost its taste” (KJV lost its savour) The Greek word, moraíno; from morós, means foolish. To make dull, not acute, to cause something to lose its taste or purpose of being. This is where we get the English word “moron.”

If we as believers lose our preserving influence, then there is no other way for the Lord to save the world, and it will be dominated by worldly men.

God works through His people. It is not our own power that changes people. It’s God’s power working through us. God will not do it without us. We are in an authoritative partnership with Jesus.

Many people spend a lifetime praying for God to move, not understanding that He is waiting to move through them. It is not God who is failing to step into the situation. It is God’s people who are failing to cooperate with His Word which allows Him work through them, by His Spirit.

Every Christian has God living in them. Therefore we are carrying around other people’s miracles. If we fail to walk in the supernatural power of God, then someone will miss their miracle. We are God’s salt to preserve this putrefying world. We must get out of the salt shaker and let the life of God which is in us, flow to others who are in need.

I see a double meaning here. If natural salt lost its usefulness, it was used on pathways to kill weeds and therefore was walked upon. If, on the other hand, the church is not being a purifying influence within the community, then it’s good for nothing. Churches that exist as social centers are good for nothing. The church needs to be a dynamic spiritual force that brings a godly influence to the community.

Jesus is telling us, “We are the salt of the earth.” Without saltiness, we are good for nothing, and will be trampled under the feet of fallen men. This is not just a challenge, it is an ultimatum. You either be what God intends for you to be, or you will find yourself useless and under the feet of lost sinners.

The world sees the “church” as morons who need to be governed and taxed to support their world view. Balance is everything. You have a light in you that is so bright, it temporarily blinds – but after awhile it guides and comforts those who want to see.

Don’t be so nice that you get stepped on by the world! Be salty enough to cause changes in people, then if they try to walk on you, you can call it persecution.

God bless you my friend,

— Dwight Hammond