Salt is an extraordinary mineral. Before the advent of refrigeration, pasteurization and pressure-cooking, salt was used to preserve meat and canned goods. Today, it is still used in the food industry.

Salt is also used as a road de-icer and as a sanitizer in the health care industry. And, in the chemical industry, salt is used in the composition of paper, glass, steel and plastic.

According to Mathew 5:13, Christians are the salt of the earth. Just as salt dominates bacteria and stops it from spoiling our food, we are to dominate over the works of the devil and stop him for terrorizing the people of this world.

Add Flavor
In the same way that salt preserves meat and other products, we are to preserve the lives of others by our faith, prayers and anointing. And similar to the way salt adds flavor to food, we are to make the lives of those around us better.

Jesus goes on to say that if we lose our ability to flavor, we are good for nothing and will be trampled under the feet of men (Matt. 5:13). Here Jesus is alluding to salt as the fruit of the Spirit—specifically the fruit of gentleness and goodness.

Operating in the fruit of the Spirit toward others is the power that preserves, protects and adds flavor to this world and stops the Enemy from trampling over us as Christians. Showing goodness toward others is an important part of our Christian duty. It is what identifies us as Christ-like. If we lose our flavor, how will the world be changed?

The Light Of The World
Jesus says in Mathew 5:14-16 that Christians are the light of the world. We are commanded to let our light shine before men so that they may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven.

God has done a good work in each of us; He has opened our spiritual eyes, and we have been enlightened by His Word. We are challenged to let the world see the evidence of this enlightenment through our obedience to walk in the fruit of the Spirit.

Just as a lit candle is left uncovered so that it can illuminate a room, so are you to display God's goodness to others. Understand, however, that the Enemy will try to place stumbling blocks in your way to get you off course such as "ornery" people or difficult circumstances.

As the salt of the earth, you are called to continue in the good works God has ordained for you to carry out. Numbers 14:21 says that the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. When we allow His goodness to shine through us, it causes men to glorify God (Matt. 5:16).

What impact have you made on the people around you? To whose life have you added flavor? Take every opportunity, whether on the job, at a social function, a family gathering, in a classroom or wherever your day takes you, to let your light shine before men!

First published in the March 2004 issue of
Changing Your World Magazine
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