Encouragement Page
2 Oct 2005

This is in the context of discipleship. Verse 33, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple”. From the day we believe in Jesus, we have decided to follow Jesus. We put the world behind us, and the cross before us. No turning back, no turning back. However, Jesus knows it is not an easy road we are travelling. The time will come when we will be pulled back into the world and get choked by all the worldliness, sin, seduction of the flesh and carnal desires, all the evil pursuits involving the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. Jesus knows our struggles; He wants to help us by giving us a forewarning sign. Jesus says in verse 34, “Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?”  In order to appreciate Jesus’ teaching here, using salt as an object lesson, we need to know something about salt.

What use is the salt? There are at least three functions. First, salt serves as a preservative. It is used to preserve meat from decaying quickly. Although salt does not make something good or better, it can only keep something from going bad easily. Raw meat if left on its own, will rot and give off a foul smell if it has no preservative. Applying in the spiritual sense, can you think of anything that is rotting, dying and decaying? Looking at the world, we see it is going from bad to worse in terms of morality. The world is in a state of spiritual decay. And it needs something to keep it from rotting and stinking. Only salt can preserve a rotting world from rotting further. And Jesus says, we are the salt of the earth. The world will continue to soak itself in sin and immorality. That is where we come in, to be salt of the world. To preach the Word everywhere in the world, at home, at work, in school, we are to tell the story of love, forgiveness, hope, peace, joy and everlasting life that is found in Jesus Christ our Lord. If it were not for salty Christians, this world would be completely filled with corruption and decay. Thank God that He is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy. He used us who are salt to preserve the world from dying in its sin.

Second, salt serves as an antiseptic agent. In other words, salt is used to heal wounds. This is an ancient remedy for wound when medical science and technology is not that advanced. Today, salt is still being poured into open wounds as an antiseptic agent. Again, we look at this world. The world is dying because it is sick with a terrible disease; sick with sin and immorality. Too many have died of this spiritual disease. And many are still dying. But who can help them? Salty Christians again! We must present the cure to them who are broken in their souls. The only cure for them is Jesus who has died on the cross for our sins. Are you declaring this cure to all the wounded and sick? Salt functions as an antiseptic agent. Will you minister grace to the wounded and dying world?

Third, salt serves as a seasoning. Salt is sprinkled on plain food to make it taste better. It adds flavour to the food. It does not take a lot of salt to make a tasty dish. In fact a little bit will do. Too much will be inedible or become unhealthy. In the spiritual sense, adding salt to this world is like filling all the gaps. Because of sin, this world becomes empty and void of a meaningful life. If we want to live a fulfilling life, God must be involved. And not just involved, He must be our everything. We do not want Him to stand above us as an angry Judge but as a loving Father.

The love of God is that which adds meaning to our emptiness of life and perspective. Now that we have experienced God’s love, we must share His love with others. Let us not be selfish. Let others experience the wonderful colours of life even as God has blessed us.

However there is a warning. Jesus says in Luke 14:35 “It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear”  The salt that has lost its savour is of no use to the land. It no longer makes the land fruitful nor flowing with milk and honey. Not even for the dunghill. At least dung can be used as fertilizers to provide nutrients to the plants. But what use is the salt that has lost its savour?  No use!  Jesus said also in Matthew 5:13 “… it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men”.  No use for the land nor the dunghill, absolutely good for nothing, Jesus says. Only good to be cast out and stepped by men!

Are you the salt that has already lost its savour? Good for nothing, only fit to be cast out and trampled by men? We are the salt of the earth. Let us make sure we are still salty Christians. Remember the three functions of salt: serving as a preservative, an antiseptic agent, and a seasoning unto the world that is dying, wounded and filled with emptiness. If you are not salty enough, pray now that God will make you salty again. If not, it is only a matter of time your sin will find you out, and you will be cast out and trampled by men. Let us bear a good testimony for God and before the world. I echo the words of Jesus, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”  May God help us!  Amen.

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