Name Tags: You are… Salt

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

Matthew 5:13 (NKJV)

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Colossians 4:6 (ESV)

Most Christians know they're “the salt of the earth.” In my research for today's devotion, I discovered countless ways to use salt. 

Currently and historically, salt's purposes and benefits are HUGE. But for now, let's examine three key points:

  1. In Bible days, salt could be a paycheck. It was tremendously valuable. Therein, disciples of Christ are treasures. Nevertheless, demons of worthlessness sometimes chase and taunt the children of God. If you've been chased (I have), submit to God, resist lying demons, and watch them flee!

  2. Salt preserves freshness and prevents decay. Nothing in this world is fresher than Christ, and no one is more corrupt than Satan. While he paints God's Word as irrelevant, we, as saints, MUST SHOW God is new and real. We’re called to preserve our King’s legacy: to build on the Foundation of His Life.

  3. Salt is the #1 spice for all food. Likewise, saints should add flavor to the world and NOT “contain themselves” behind church doors. But, when we’re “witnessing” Christ, consider: Salt tastes best when it is LIGHTLY sprinkled, because too much makes food inedible..

Therein, bring God's zest to every table, but do so gently among outsiders.

P.S. WARNING: If we who put on the nametag, CHRISTIAN, aren’t flavor-enhancing and life-saving…if, instead, we become stale or hateful (therein, misrepresenting our Maker), then we’re WORSE than any non-believer– because people are turned away from Christ. I pray no Christian ever goes there.

Name Tags: You Are… Salt (Part 80)

* Short article: Salt of the Earth: Trustworthy Bible Teaching and Discipleship Resources | Ligonier Ministries

* Interesting article: You are the Manure of the Earth: You Are the Manure of the Earth - Christianity Today

** See Barnes Notes on the Bible re: Col 4:6: Colossians 4:6 Commentaries: Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

*** ‘So it is with ministers of the gospel, so with the professors of it; if they have lost their soundness in the faith, and holiness of life, they are of no value, nay, they are worse than other men’ (Matthew Poole’s Commentaryon Matthew 5:13), Matthew 5:13 Commentaries: "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban