You are the salt of the earth

“You are the salt of the earth.”

Matthew records these words in the same chapter that Jesus describes His disciples as the “Light of the World.”

In both statements Jesus is trying to help His Disciples to understand who and what they were, and what was their purpose on earth.

But what does Jesus mean when He tells all His followers that they are the salt of the earth?

“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall the earth be salted? Without the flavor salt is good for nothing, and should be thrown away….” Ch.5:13

Here Jesus is saying some important things:

1. As His disciples, we must add “flavor” or taste to our own lives as well as the lives of others. The teachings of Jesus, His values and standards, must be engrained in our lives and expressed in our behavior. This should make a difference in our lives here on earth.

2. Failure to carry out this responsibility makes us unfit for God’s purpose.

3. We should not only add flavor, but we must be a “preservative” like salt. We must preserve Jesus’ values and standards by living according to them and encouraging others to do the same. We must be good examples.

4. If we, His followers, do not add flavor to life by practicing His values, and if we do not uphold and preserve them, then who will??????

So do you think that you are “salty” and are making a difference in this life?

Or have you lost your “saltiness” and is now unsuitable for God’s purpose? You have a choice.

Al Jones