Articles
Are We Salty Enough?
The divine wisdom of God is so easily seen in the teachings of Jesus. The Master’s use of metaphors in His instruction and storytelling transcend time, making them just as understandable to us as they should have been to those who heard them with their own ears. A great example is seen in the following passage: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” (Matthew 5:13)
Salt is a chemical compound composed primarily of sodium chloride and is used to preserve, purify, and season food. In ancient societies it was a valuable social and economic commodity. Salt and its usage is known and recognized the world over, what better image could Jesus have used to describe the influence His followers should have on the world. Just as salt enhances the flavor of our favorite food, we should be busy enhancing the lives of those around us. Like reaching for the salt shaker at the dinner table, our friends and neighbors should want to reach out to us when they need a boost during difficult times. Most important of all, we can improve the lives of others by sharing the gospel message.
So how do I become more salty? We begin by developing the type of character described by the following: “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5–8)
