You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt would become tasteless, in what way would it become salt again? It is no longer still good except to be thrown outside to be trampled by men. (Matthew 5:13 ONM)
On behalf of all the cooks and chefs, no delicious cuisine would be made without salt. There are some healthy substitutes like spices and herbs, but nothing can replace that distinct taste of salt. Even most recipes for sweet deserts require maybe a pinch of salt. The salt actually balances out the flavor. I discovered this a while back when I was cooking some yams. The salt balanced the taste of the sugar so that it didn’t overpower the flavor. So no matter what type of salt that you use, kosher or sea salt, they all act as an agent for flavoring. Salt can also be used as a disinfectant for wounds and a preservative for food. Salt is also a necessary trace mineral for our existence. It provides the sodium chloride and iodine that our body needs. It also helps our bodily function in retaining and balancing fluids.
Jesus described believers as being salt in Matthew 5:13. When Jesus said this, salt was a very valuable commodity and important part of the economy at that time. There is an expression, “worth their salt”, which was basically saying the person earned their reward or pay. The Roman soldiers were paid an allocated salary during that time in order to purchase salt. The word salary comes from the Latin word “salarium” which has the root word salt. Salt is a necessary mineral for our natural function. Jesus lets us know that the nutrients that salt provides for us is the same kind of spiritual nutrients we provide to the world. The miracle that Elisha performed shows just how salt can provide the spiritual nutrient and deliverance from death to save the world. “19 One day the men of the city said to Elisha, “You can see for yourself, master, how well our city is located. But the water is polluted and nothing grows.”20 He said, “Bring me a brand-new bowl and put some salt in it.” They brought it to him.21-22 He then went to the spring, sprinkled the salt into it, and proclaimed, “God’s word: I’ve healed this water. It will no longer kill you or poison your land.” And sure enough, the water was healed—and remains so to this day, just as Elisha said” (2 Kings 2:19-22 MSG). Imagine what would happen if we salted the earth as the Lord said. Think about all the pollution and poison of this world that is killing people. They can be healed as we sprinkle salt from our brand-new bowls (new creatures in Christ). Think about the salt that Elisha sprinkled in the water. When you add salt to water it should be salty but the water was healed and became fresh. It is the same way with children of God, as we sprinkle salt in the earth it preserves new and fresh flavorable souls for the Lord.
David said in Psalm 34:8 to taste and see that the Lord is good. As our lives reflect that flavorable season of the Word of God, we then give the world a chance to see and taste of God’s goodness and become the salt of the earth.
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