You Are the Salt of the Earth
March 9, 2025
Scripture: Matthew 5:13
Over the past weeks, we noted the beatitudes. The beatitudes emphasize the character traits of true believers—those who are part of the kingdom of heaven. They are the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. They are the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers. As one displays Christlike character, it might prompt persecution because of righteousness. Even though there are times the world hates believers, Jesus says in Matthew 5:13-16 that we are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Both metaphors, salt, and light, symbolize how Christians should influence the world. For us to influence the world, it presupposes the kind of character described in the beatitudes! Remember, the beatitudes reflect the character of Jesus. So, as we abide in Christ (John 15:5) and allow our hearts to be reshaped and transformed into the character of Jesus Christ, we become living, breathing reflections of Jesus. Thus, we can be a positive influence and make a difference in the lives of others!
Now, influence is the ability to impact a person’s beliefs, character, behavior, and his/her development. Now, please realize influence can be positive or negative. I have no doubt we can think of people who have had influence in our lives, good or bad.
Please realize, Jesus had positive influence, a significant impact upon this world. There has been no one, no one even close, and no one in the future will have such a positive influence in the affairs of humankind like Jesus. Jesus instructed his disciples/us and wants us to carry out his mission to make a difference in the lives of others. Those who follow Jesus and put the words of the Bible into practice have had and continue to have a tremendous impact on this world for good. That is what Jesus means when he says, You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world.
So how can we influence this world? This morning, I want to note several principles related to this concept of being the salt of the earth.
Here is the first principle. If you are going to be a person of influence, please realize you are extremely valuable to the Lord and to the world.
Salt was a highly valuable commodity in the past. Salt's ability to preserve food was a founding contributor to the development of civilization. Salt made it possible to transport food over large distances. However, salt was often difficult to obtain, so it was a highly valued trade item. It was also considered a form of currency by many societies. The Romans paid their soldiers in salt. Salt was also a critical commodity during war. For instance, in the Revolutionary War, Loyalists intercepted Patriot salt shipments in an attempt to interfere with their ability to preserve food.
True believers in Christ are also extremely valuable! God’s plan has been to raise up people empowered by His Spirit to influence this sick, sinful, death stinking world. God has entrusted his followers to influence the world!
In 1 Peter 2:9, Peter says, But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession! Then he states the reason, the purpose of believers, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
II Corinthians 5:19-20 notes that we hold the message of reconciliation. We are Christ’s ambassadors.
The reason you and I are in His kingdom is to manifest His influence. The Church alone is the salt of the earth! There is no other. And if we, the Church, lose our saltiness, the world is lost.
Secondly, to be the salt of the earth means that believers preserve society from moral decay.
One of the primary functions of salt was a preservative. There were no ice-machines or refrigerators in those days. To preserve food, it was placed in a saline solution, a mixture of salt and water.
As believers in Christ, we are to be a preserving positive influence on this world. The world is on a progressive path to destruction. Left to itself, societies and cultures will naturally decay. In Romans 1:18-32, Paul describes this process. Because the world suppresses the truth of God because of their love for sin, their hearts are continually darkened.
We are to bring Christ's word and the Kingdom's influence into society. We are to help protect society from the full sway of evil that would otherwise be present. Imagine our land with no churches, no Christian colleges, no church-supported hospitals, no Christian social action groups, no Christian organizations ministering to those in need.
We preserve the world in a negative sense by retarding the decay. But we also preserve it in a positive sense by promoting righteousness. Christians are to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, set an example and disciple others. Believers preserve society by having a righteous influence on it.
Sadly, to many so-called Christian communities seek to mimic the world to influence it. Too many congregations live and think like the world. They accept its standards, its methods, its values, its aspirations, its conduct.
They have been more influenced by the world instead of the truth, God’s word. As Jesus prayed in John 17
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
In many ways, it is no surprise that the world has reached startling heights of corruption because the church has failed in being salt and light to the world.
Now a major key for believers to preserve society is prayer! If we are going to have influence, then we need to pray! We need to draw near to the Lord.
In Ezekiel 22, the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel. The Lord points out numerous sins of God’s chosen people, the Jews. He notes that they were guilty of idol worship, desecrated the Sabbath, committed sexual immorality, shed innocent bled, took bribes, committed robbery, killed people to make unjust gain, oppressed the poor and needy, denied people justice, the preachers lied and gave false teaching, and they had forgotten the Lord.
Then the Lord said in verses 30, 31, I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. 31 So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord. (Also note; Moses interceding for Israel in Exodus 32:11-14; Abraham interceding for Sodom in Genesis 18:22-33; Amos praying for Israel in Amos 7.)
Christians need to stand in the gap! Prayer makes a difference!! Scripture calls us, the Church, to pray. II Chronicles 7:14 states, If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
This past Friday night, we talked about II Kings 6:8-17, It is the story of Elisha and his servant as this army surrounded them ready to capture and kill them. Then verse 15 states, When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. Elisha responded verse 16, Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Then what did Elisha do? He prayed! Verse 17, Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see. Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire.
Humankind is naturally blind to the things of God (II Corinthians 4:4). So, a major key for God to work not only in our own lives, but also the lives of others is prayer! We need to pray that people will have their eyes spiritually open! We need to make prayer a priority individually and corporately! I know for I have seen the power of prayer….
Sadly, I am afraid the Church today is not fully committed to prayer! As a result, the moral of decay of our world has deteriorated.
Here is a third principle. Be a seasoning agent! Add flavor! So, be wise! Make the most of every opportunity! Converse with words full of grace, seasoned with salt!
The ancient world used salt as a seasoning to add flavor to their food (Note Job 6:6). We still do today.
So also, we are to be a seasoning agent. In a sense, you can bring the distinctive flavor of God's values, His love, His joy, His peace to others. A salty Christian makes life enjoyable and demonstrates an abundant life. They live the kind of life that will draw people to Christ.
Colossians 4:5, 6 states, Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
If we are going to be salty, draw people to Christ, then we need to be wise around those who are of the world. As Jesus said in Matthew 10:16, Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.
I have found in dealing with people, we need God’s wisdom! We need insight from God’s word, from others, from knowing/understanding temperament types and picking up insights from what people say and do. Listen, influence radically deepens when our relationship skills expand in understanding the point of view of others. We need to grasp/gain wisdom why people do certain things, why they hurt, what are their needs, what desires do they have. Then you can minister to the real issue!
Paul also mentions that our conversation is to be always full of grace. We are to speak words of kindness, encouragement, as we converse with others. The Apostle warned in Philippians 2:14-16, Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life.
We also need to have our conversation seasoned with salt. There are times of conflict that our words need to be seasoned with salt! I have found one of the keys to challenge people in their thinking or behavior is to ask a question. Why do you think that? Why did you do that? There are other times I have to level with people and confront them in love (Eph. 4:15, 29). This is not easy for me, but sometimes necessary.
One of my personal goals in life is to take every thought captive for Christ. II Corinthians 10:5 states, We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…. I want to take every thought captive for Christ personally and as I converse with others. There are times I need to converse as a caring counselor. . hers times, I put on the apologetic/evangelism hat in noting reasons why they can believe in Jesus. My goal is to share the good news of Jesus and hopefully lead people to put their faith in Him. There is power in the gospel of Christ!
Other times, I teach! This is one of my primary responsibilities. Years ago, I learned the importance of teaching without resentment. At that time, I was dealing with conflict in the church and personal resentment. Then I read II Timothy 2:24-26 states, The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
Of course, no matter how gracious and sensitive you attempt to be, you will offend. Remember, Jesus calls His disciples “the salt of the earth” and not “the sugar of the earth.” Salt at times has a stinging feeling when applied to a wound. Christians have a responsibility of not only pointing out sin but practically offering healing and help. We are called to disinfect a dying world, and this means we cannot compromise on sin. We must love people enough to be honest with them, even if it hurts. Sometimes, as Jesus mentioned in Matthew 5:10-12, this might lead to persecution.
Here is a fourth principle. Church, let us function in Christlike unity, as a team!
In the Greek, the “you” in “You are the salt of the earth” is plural. Christ was not referring to individuals, but individuals as part of the community of believers. Jesus was talking about the collective body of believers. When you say, “Pass the salt,” you don’t pick out one grain of salt. Salt functions in combination with other pieces of salt.
So also, the church, if we are going to influence the world, then we must be collective salt. It is not enough to be all alone at it. We are to do it together. To grow in saltiness, we must commune with other faithful Christians!
Mark 9:50 states, Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.
Jesus wants believers in Christ, the CHURCH, to live in peace with each other. He wants congregations to be a team. Why does Jesus desire this? It is because if the Church or a congregation can work as a team, they will have a greater impact on this sick, sinful, death stinking world. The seasoning flavor will be enhanced.
Jesus said in John 13:34, 35, A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.
The church will grow in Christ as we work in unity. Paul writes in Ephesians 4:15, 16, Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
If the church works together, the Lord can do remarkable things! Remember, Jesus began with a small group of only 12 dedicated people. After Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension, he only had 120 followers praying in an upper room (Acts 1), but within a few years, Roman officials complained they were turning the world upside down.
Today, there is a great need for dedicated Christian groups that are committed to Christ, His word, to one another, who will pray together, formulate policies together, and work together to reach the community. I believe if we work as a team, we can have an enormous influence in the Mount Vernon community!
Jesus then states the end of verse 13, But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
After reading several commentaries, I concluded that Jesus’ question is not meant to have an answer. It is a question designed to challenge us not to lose our effectiveness by living like the world, living in the flesh instead of the Spirit. A person or a church can lose effectiveness by mixing with the world. If we become contaminated with the standards of the world, want our own selfish way, we can lose our saltiness. We will lose that positive influence on others.
We have seen that over the past 30 years the loss of influence by the fall of well-known preachers, the sexual abuse within the Catholic Church and numerous other churches. There has also been professing Christians who have had a negative impact or influence on others. Conflict in the church has gotten out of hand. Listen, when words are not seasoned with salt, people can easily get upset and often leave. I have seen it in this church.
The challenge is to stay salty. This means we need to maintain and develop our fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ! We need to let the word of Christ dwell in our hearts, walk in His Spirit, abide in Christ. As we abide in Christ, walk in His Spirit, we will continue to grow and mature in Christ!!! We will mature spiritually, emotionally, and relationally!
In the first century, when salt became tasteless it was thrown on the ground where people wanted a hard path because salt had a hardening effect on the soil. People would then walk right on top of the salt and trample it into the ground.
Let me close with this story about Helen Ewan of Scotland. Helen was born around 1910 into an ordinary working-class family. She was the only child, and her parents loved Jesus. They lived for only one thing and that was to please God in every detail of their lives. During a mighty movement of the Spirit in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, Helen was saved. Helen crowned Jesus as the Lord of her life and was filled with the Spirit. She was 14 years old.
Helen arose every morning of her life at 5 o'clock to study God's Word, to commune, and to pray. She would not put on the heat in her cold little room or seek to make herself comfortable in any way, feeling she could be more alert in the cold. And besides, those for whom she would be praying in foreign lands were not sitting in comfort. Helen never authored a book, but she kept a dairy, in fact she had many diaries.
She would begin her communion with the Lord with praise and worship. She then read God’s word. She studied the Word of God and let the word of Christ dwelt in her richly. She prayed for hundreds of missionaries. Her diaries indicated when she started to pray for each missionary. She noted the date for a request and the date when God answered it. She also interceded for her friends, her family, her church, and those who were unsaved. She prayed daily until they were born again. Her diaries reveal a prayer life that moved God and moved mountains!
Helen was also busy with personal soul winning. She would stop others on the street and, with a radiant face, tell how God’s word spoke of her about the Lord Jesus Christ. She led a great multitude to Jesus. One writer noted that he saw her one winter’s evening with her arms around a poor drunken prostitute, telling her of Jesus and His love. On other occasions she would be dealing with drunken men, seeking to lead them to her Savior.
In the evangelistic meetings she was always on the alert for lost souls. For instance, she saw a woman sitting alone, sorrow written on her face. Helen would sit beside her, praying inwardly during the service. Then after the service she left with the woman talking about the message and the love of Jesus.
At the University of Glasgow, she had the joy of leading many students to Christ. At the University Helen was preparing for missionary service among the Russian people of Eastern Europe. As she was spending her vacation with an aunt, she was taken ill suddenly and called Home. God, in His wisdom and love, called her Home at the age of twenty-two. Thousands wept throughout Scotland and Great Britain. Missionaries all over the world wept and mourned for her. People talked about her for decades!
Helen exemplifies what it is to be salt and light for Jesus in the world in which we live. Helen, who was an ordinary young woman, became extraordinary simply because she surrendered all to Jesus! She received the Lord with all her being and thus reflected, the glory of the Lord.
How about you? Will you reflect the glory of the Lord and influence the world?
