You are salt for the earth. But if salt loses its taste, how will it be made salty again? ...
These words were spoken by Jesus Christ after the Beatitudes [Matthew 5:1-10]. He tells the disciples of their responsibility in society and in the world. These words are applicable to us today. The focus of God’s action is the world - not simply the Church or Christians.
Christians are to be the salt of the earth. Jesus used this analogy because in the ancient world, salt was highly valued. Salt has the following uses: -
1. As a seasoning agent: It provides taste and flavour to food. In the same way, may your desire be that as you come into contact with the society, your Christian values should help improve the nature of that society.
2. Salt makes people thirsty: As a children of God, we seek to create a thirst in people's lives that can only be satisfied by Jesus.
3. Salt is used to thaw ice on roads: As children of God, we can add value to our world when we thaw hearts that have hardened against the gospel. As we show love and warmth to people, over time our saltiness can bring people to know Jesus Christ.
4. As a preservative: salt makes food last long. In our world today, there may be things that are wrong but are generally accepted. As children of God, we should preserve the truth and the Christian way of life, that our future generations will know what is right before God.
There may be discouragements as we walk with God. Most times this makes one forget his/her purpose. But as we encourage others and ourselves, we preserve the people whose lives will be testimonies and encouragement to others.
Prayer: My Loving Father, what an honour it is to be the salt for the earth. Father, on my own I cannot fulfill this calling. I pray for Your strength, grace and wisdom to carry out this responsibility. Show me opportunities where I can be salt as I live out my life. Help me to step out of my comfort zone to preserve, reconcile, add taste, give meaning and hope to people in the world. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
One-Year Daily Bible Reading Plan - June 4 2010 - 2 Chronicles 30 - 33 (OT), 1 Corinthians 9 (NT).
Joyful 'Toon For Today
God’s Love and Mine…
