Could you please pass the salt?

Matthew 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salt again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”

To conclude His section on the “Beatitudes” and before He gets into the main body of His sermon, Jesus gives two analogies as to how a Christian should relate to the world. He moves from speaking in the third person to the second person by saying, “you are the salt of the earth.” Our purpose statement is clearly laid out for us by Almighty God, we are to be salt!

There are many modern day uses of salt, some have numbered over 14,000, but the primary use in the context of our Scripture was that of preserving food. The other noted Biblical uses are: seasoning food (Job 6:6), seasoning sacrifices (Leviticus 2:13), ratifying covenants (Numbers 18:19), and strengthening new-born babies (Ezekiel 16:4). Without any source of refrigeration, salt was the primary means of preserving meat from decaying. Wars were fought over this precious substance; wages were paid with it, and often times it was the difference between life and death when fresh food was unavailable. Salt was and still is a valuable commodity.

Jesus says that we are to help keep the world from decaying by the life that we live and by the message that we share. R.K. Hughes says, “This matter of being a preservative has a positive and a negative side. On the negative side, the presence of a salty Christian will retard decay simply because his or her life is a reproach to the sin of those they are around. We all know there are certain people in whose presence a filthy story is naturally told, and there are others before whom no one would think of telling such a story. The salty Christian is not self-righteous or condemning, but his or her life makes ungodly conversation seem shabby and inappropriate. I believe such Christians exert an incalculable influence on society! Their mere presence reduces crime, restrains ethical corruption, promotes honesty, quickens the conscience, and elevates the general moral atmosphere. The presence of such people in the military, in business, in education, in a fraternity or sorority will amazingly elevate the level.”

Is their enough preserving salt in our culture? Despite what many idealists would have us believe, the world isn’t getting any better, America in particular. One does not have to be a pessimist in order to see this clearly. Without going into how ugly much of our culture is getting, I will rely on your agreeing with me at this point. History is replete with the rising and falling of great civilizations. The once heralded nations have passed into oblivion and only remnants of their former grandeur remain. The main reason, in my opinion, is because there weren’t enough people passing the salt!

We are warned by Jesus, that if we aren’t being salt, then we are missing out on His intentions for our life. Not only are we missing our purpose and losing our identity, but the world is missing out on the one thing that can save it from certain death. The Christian message of grace, forgiveness, abundant life, hope, and eternal salvation is the only ingredient that will keep this life from becoming bland and meaningless and the one message that makes victory over death possible. (1 Cor. 15:22-22) America and the world are relying on us to pass the salt!

It is said that “pure” salt will never lose its flavor. The salt commonly used in the ancient world was rock salt and it generally contained various impurities. As the true salt was removed, the so-called “salt” could indeed lose its savor and become useless. When those who profess Christ, cease to be different from the world, we cease to be useful as retardants of decay. Our ability to positively impact the world will be in direct proportion to how salty we really are. Our words will avail very little if our conduct is not true to our calling. Without saltiness, salt is worthless. Without Christian character, Christians are worthless to the society in which God has placed them.

When we are living with this type of character, Vance Havner reminds us that, “we must be willing to be rubbed in to the decaying carcass of an unregenerate society.” You must not be content on remaining in the salt shaker, but must be willing to be shaken out on and influence all of society. The influence of Christian character can halt the downward spiral of the world and help stem the natural degeneration that occurs due to the world’s rebellion against God.

Consider the impact of the First Great Awakening (revival) on England at a time when the rest of Europe was embroiled in political upheavals. Even secular writers acknowledge that it was because of the impact of salty Christians like John Wesley and George Whitefield that England was spared the effects of the horrible and bloody revolution that swept through France in the late 1700’s. Salty believers really do prevent corruption and decay! They were willing to pass the salt, will you?

John Stott points out, “When society does go bad, many Christians tend to throw up their hands in pious horror and reproach the non-Christian world; but should they not rather reproach themselves? One can hardly blame unsalted meat for going bad. It cannot do anything else. The real question to ask is: Could you please pass the salt?”

Reviled

Matthew 5:10-12, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

This devotional will conclude my thoughts on the Beatitudes, but I will continue to study the Sermon on the Mount and provide my devotionals on the best sermon that has ever been preached. It would be well worth your time to read and even devote Matthew chapter five through seven to memory.

When you look at these verses, like many of the others, it seems almost funny. You should consider yourself fortunate when people revile you, speak evil against you, and persecute you? On the surface it may seem funny, but for those of you who have actually experienced these things, the humor in it was probably very difficult to find.

The culture in which Jesus was speaking, considered verbal abuse to be extremely vicious and damaging. The Jewish rabbis believed reviling to be as evil as idolatry, fornication, and bloodshed all combined. Because of the insults, the recipient would lose his or her place in the community and potentially lose their lives. An insulting word was believed to have a life and a power of its own. Can you imagine how the crowds must have felt when Jesus said these words of potential blessing?

In a related verse Jesus says, “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you, and spurn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.” (Luke 6:22) Jesus also says in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

History is replete with men and woman who have had to endure to the full measure and fulfillment of Jesus’ words. 11 of the 12 disciples were killed for their profession of faith. Some are recorded in Scripture but most come from tradition and extra-biblical sources. It is said that: James – was beheaded, Phillip – crucified, Matthew – slain by the sword, James the Less – stoned to death, Matthias – stoned, then beheaded, Andrew – crucified and left hanging for three days, Peter – crucified upside down, Paul – beheaded by Nero in Rome, Jude – crucified, Bartholomew – beaten to death with clubs, Thomas – speared to death, Simon the Zealot – crucified, John – exiled to Patmos; died a prisoner.

There have been countless millions throughout the centuries who have faced immense persecution. These persecutions have come from both within and outside the church. You may have heard the names of Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, and Thomas Cranmer. Nicholas Ridley had been raised Catholic but converted to Protestantism. Hugh Latimer became a great preacher and Ridley helped author the Book of Common Prayer. During the Protestant persecution by Queen Mary (Bloody Mary) of 1553-55, both men were arrested and condemned to be burned at the stake. As the flames were being lit, Latimer cried out to his fellow-martyr, “Be of good cheer, Master Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day light such a candle by God’s grace in England as shall never be put out.”

Thomas Cranmer watched them die in agony. At one time he had been the Archbishop of Canterbury. Later under great pressure he recanted his evangelical faith. But watching his two friends die seemed to give strength to his soul and a few months later he was condemned to die at the stake. As they lit the flames, he placed his right hand into the fire to show his tormentors that he was not afraid to die. (Hugh Latimer, Bishop and Martyr)

We are commanded to rejoice and be “exceedingly glad” when we have the opportunity to receive persecution. This is not an emotional feeling, but an attitude that we have concerning our Lord and His promises. Remember we are suffering for “righteousness’ sake” and for the “sake of the Son of Man”. This brings meaning to our suffering. We are given the privilege to join our Lord, the prophets, and countless others who have taken up the Banner of the Cross and proved themselves worthy of the name of Christian.

We must live out the Christian life in the real world manifesting the seven character qualities Jesus has outlined (poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungry for righteous living, merciful, pure in heart, peacemaking). This will present an indelible mark that you are a follower of Christ. Everyone will know. Not everyone will like it, but no one will be able to deny this mark. Don’t worry about seeking persecution. It will seek you! And you won't have to “stir up trouble” to incite persecution. Living like Jesus will give you all the persecution you can handle and then some!

There is an array of forces (internal, external, and demonic) that are against you and would seek you to surrender and become just like this present world. Please know that you are a part of an elite corps and have joined the ranks of godly men and woman who have counted it a privilege of laying down their lives for their God. When we suffer for Christ’s sake, we can know that we belong to Him and that His kingdom will come to us in it’s fullest since as our reward in heaven. You are indeed blessed!

Am I a soldier of the cross, a follower of the Lamb, And shall I fear to own His cause, or blush to speak His name? Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease, While others fought to win the prize, and sailed thro’ bloody seas? Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood? Is this vile world a friend to grace, to help me on to God? Sure I must fight if I would reign; increase my courage, Lord; I will bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by Thy Word. (Isaac Watts)