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“Ye are
the salt of the earth…”
Matthew 5:13
I read about a group of young people who were discussing the
text, "Ye are the salt of the earth."
One suggestion after another was made as to the meaning of 'salt' in
this verse.
"Salt imparts a desirable
flavor, " said one.
"Salt preserves from decay,"
another suggested.
Then a Chinese Christian
girl spoke out of an experience none of the others had. "Salt
creates thirst," she said, and there was a sudden hush in the room.
Everyone was thinking: "Have I ever made anyone thirsty for the Lord
Jesus Christ?"
Jesus told his followers that they were the salt of
the earth. If you profess Christ, you are to be the salt of the
earth in this generation. As illustrated above, salt has
various uses and purposes. Many foods are bland by themselves but
when salt is added, they are flavorful and tasty. So should
Christians possess real joy and happiness due to the graces of
Christ in their life. Likewise, as salt does preserve from decay, so
should true Christians preserve the pureness of the gospel truth
that was imparted by Christ. But when someone eats salt or drinks
salt water, they become very thirsty. As the salt of the earth, we
need to be creating a thirst in other people for a relationship with
Jesus Christ. Our lives should make attractive the way. So many
times people are turned away from Christianity because of the
attitudes and behavior of professing Christians.
Jesus further said that "if the salt have lost his
savour, wherewith shall it (the earth) be salted? It is thenceforth
good for nothing..." Let us be challenged to never fall into the
number of professing Christians that have lost their ability through
careless, shoddy living to make people thirst for Jesus when they
see our lives.
May we seek God for the true peace and joy in our
lives that we may have an impact on others and that people would
yearn for what we possess. This starts in our homes with our spouse
and our children. Let us live carefully before God that by the
example and conduct of our lives, others would reach out to the Lord
to satisfy the longing and needs in their own souls.
Examine your life and see if there are areas that
would not create thirst in others. Seek God for victory in those
areas and dedicate your life to God in a greater way that you might
be a living example of the power and grace of God. Are you making
others thirsty?
--Bro. Michael Smith |
