JESUS DECLARES THE VALUE OF SALT
By W. G. Guy
Matthew 5:13 – Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Several articles have been written previously by this writer regarding being the light of the world as is found in the verse following the one above. However, it is time to focus on why Jesus spoke of His followers as being the salt of the earth.
When Jesus used the term salt He was referring to the quality of salt as used most in those days as a preservative. Since there was no refrigeration available in ancient times, salt was considered very valuable in its use to preserve meat and fish to prevent spoilage and rot. Salt was so valuable that it was one of the most highly traded commodities in the ancient world.
Jesus speaking of His followers as being salt portrays them as being responsible to prevent the corruption of human flesh, not physically but spiritually. The corruption of the flesh refers to sinful practices that His followers were to address within their population.
Jesus was speaking to the assembly of Israelites who had gathered to hear Him speak on the Mount of Olives. Thus He was addressing His people. Who are His people and followers today, it’s the Christians and the church. Thus we are to be the salt of the earth and preserve humanity by opposing sinful behavior and addressing corruption that is destructive to society.
Obviously much of the church has done a very poor job of being the salt or preservative of the flesh when you consider the state of society today. Our government has adopted the works of darkness and promoted them. It has also tried to eliminate our salt, the prayer and the Bible, from our public domain and education. Thus sin and darkness has greatly increased in America because much of the church, and too many Christians, have stopped being the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
What did Jesus say about the salt that has lost its effectiveness or saltiness? “If the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
Consider how serious this is! Professing Christians and churches that fail to act as a preservative are of no use to Him; they are good for nothing! Two things then happen to such: first they are to be cast out; then they are trodden under foot of men. Being trodden under foot of men means that they become overwhelmed by the very society in which they were to have a positive and preserving influence on. What this means is that such Christians and churches become just like the world and have no life changing influence. They simply act as social or fraternal organizations.
These can be likened to the five foolish virgins Jesus spoke about in Matthew 25; the ones whose light went out and did not get to go into the celebration at the coming of the bridegroom. Another parallel is given in Revelation 3 describing the lukewarm Church of Laodicea whom the Lord said He would vomit them out because of their self-indulgence.
Consider who is being addressed in the letter to the Laodicean Church:
Revelation 3:20-22 – Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Jesus said, If any man, which simply applies to any individual who will open up to Him. Then the last line is addressed to the churches. Addressing churches (plural) refers to any and all church bodies, including those in the future – thus it is for us today!
Now another interesting fact: Jesus also called His followers to be the light of the world as previously mentioned.
Matthew 5:14-16 – Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Note that Jesus called His followers to be salt first then He said they are to be the light next. We are to be the preservatives of flesh or carnal behavior, then we are to be the light of illumination that exposes what is hidden in the darkness and lead people into the light or knowledge of truth and righteousness, which is Jesus Christ. Why? Because we are to be His representatives in this earth to reflect Him with His life (salt and light) in us. We are not to keep this light hid within the walls of a church building; it is to be seen openly in this world of darkness.
Jesus did not die on the cross just so that we can have Sunday church services. He died on the cross to change lives from darkness to light; from spiritual death the spiritual life. Thus we are ordained of God to have a positive influence in this world and on mankind, exemplifying the Kingdom (domain and dominion) of God on this earth as His servants, not observers walking through life fulfilling our own desires.
Christians and many churches need to repent of their lukewarm status, and for letting their light go out, and for failing to be the preserving salt of the earth. Repentance is needed in the church today along with a call to be the Holy Spirit empowered ambassadors of Christ in this earth preparing for His soon return.
Remember that Jesus is coming for a His followers as a body of believers that are without spot, or wrinkle, or any such blemish of the darkness of this world.
Ephesians 5:27 – that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
True believers are to be separate from the darkness that of this world and be those that the light of His glory can shine through.
1 John 3:1-3 – Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
If His light is not in you then you may not be qualified to enter into the great ceremony that we are looking for. If you have lost your saltiness you may be cast out with the rest of those in darkness. Those who are truly born again have the evidence of having been transformed into His image, having His character and nature in them. There are many fake Christians and churches in the world today.
Where do you find a form of godliness - in churches; by those that deny the power of transformation for darkness to light we are to turn away from. Why? Because they are still walking in darkness as in the behaviors listed below.
2 timothy 3:1-5 – This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away:
The apostle Paul warned that in the last days there would be those who have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. The power referred to is that transformation from darkness to light.
1 Peter 2:9 – But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Conclusion: Walk in that light! Then you can be that light, then endeavor to affect others in this world by being the salt that preserves from fleshly corruption. Now you know the value of salt that Jesus spoke about.
By W. G. Guy
Matthew 5:13 – Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Several articles have been written previously by this writer regarding being the light of the world as is found in the verse following the one above. However, it is time to focus on why Jesus spoke of His followers as being the salt of the earth.
When Jesus used the term salt He was referring to the quality of salt as used most in those days as a preservative. Since there was no refrigeration available in ancient times, salt was considered very valuable in its use to preserve meat and fish to prevent spoilage and rot. Salt was so valuable that it was one of the most highly traded commodities in the ancient world.
Jesus speaking of His followers as being salt portrays them as being responsible to prevent the corruption of human flesh, not physically but spiritually. The corruption of the flesh refers to sinful practices that His followers were to address within their population.
Jesus was speaking to the assembly of Israelites who had gathered to hear Him speak on the Mount of Olives. Thus He was addressing His people. Who are His people and followers today, it’s the Christians and the church. Thus we are to be the salt of the earth and preserve humanity by opposing sinful behavior and addressing corruption that is destructive to society.
Obviously much of the church has done a very poor job of being the salt or preservative of the flesh when you consider the state of society today. Our government has adopted the works of darkness and promoted them. It has also tried to eliminate our salt, the prayer and the Bible, from our public domain and education. Thus sin and darkness has greatly increased in America because much of the church, and too many Christians, have stopped being the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
What did Jesus say about the salt that has lost its effectiveness or saltiness? “If the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
Consider how serious this is! Professing Christians and churches that fail to act as a preservative are of no use to Him; they are good for nothing! Two things then happen to such: first they are to be cast out; then they are trodden under foot of men. Being trodden under foot of men means that they become overwhelmed by the very society in which they were to have a positive and preserving influence on. What this means is that such Christians and churches become just like the world and have no life changing influence. They simply act as social or fraternal organizations.
These can be likened to the five foolish virgins Jesus spoke about in Matthew 25; the ones whose light went out and did not get to go into the celebration at the coming of the bridegroom. Another parallel is given in Revelation 3 describing the lukewarm Church of Laodicea whom the Lord said He would vomit them out because of their self-indulgence.
Consider who is being addressed in the letter to the Laodicean Church:
Revelation 3:20-22 – Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Jesus said, If any man, which simply applies to any individual who will open up to Him. Then the last line is addressed to the churches. Addressing churches (plural) refers to any and all church bodies, including those in the future – thus it is for us today!
Now another interesting fact: Jesus also called His followers to be the light of the world as previously mentioned.
Matthew 5:14-16 – Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Note that Jesus called His followers to be salt first then He said they are to be the light next. We are to be the preservatives of flesh or carnal behavior, then we are to be the light of illumination that exposes what is hidden in the darkness and lead people into the light or knowledge of truth and righteousness, which is Jesus Christ. Why? Because we are to be His representatives in this earth to reflect Him with His life (salt and light) in us. We are not to keep this light hid within the walls of a church building; it is to be seen openly in this world of darkness.
Jesus did not die on the cross just so that we can have Sunday church services. He died on the cross to change lives from darkness to light; from spiritual death the spiritual life. Thus we are ordained of God to have a positive influence in this world and on mankind, exemplifying the Kingdom (domain and dominion) of God on this earth as His servants, not observers walking through life fulfilling our own desires.
Christians and many churches need to repent of their lukewarm status, and for letting their light go out, and for failing to be the preserving salt of the earth. Repentance is needed in the church today along with a call to be the Holy Spirit empowered ambassadors of Christ in this earth preparing for His soon return.
Remember that Jesus is coming for a His followers as a body of believers that are without spot, or wrinkle, or any such blemish of the darkness of this world.
Ephesians 5:27 – that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
True believers are to be separate from the darkness that of this world and be those that the light of His glory can shine through.
1 John 3:1-3 – Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
If His light is not in you then you may not be qualified to enter into the great ceremony that we are looking for. If you have lost your saltiness you may be cast out with the rest of those in darkness. Those who are truly born again have the evidence of having been transformed into His image, having His character and nature in them. There are many fake Christians and churches in the world today.
Where do you find a form of godliness - in churches; by those that deny the power of transformation for darkness to light we are to turn away from. Why? Because they are still walking in darkness as in the behaviors listed below.
2 timothy 3:1-5 – This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away:
The apostle Paul warned that in the last days there would be those who have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. The power referred to is that transformation from darkness to light.
1 Peter 2:9 – But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Conclusion: Walk in that light! Then you can be that light, then endeavor to affect others in this world by being the salt that preserves from fleshly corruption. Now you know the value of salt that Jesus spoke about.
