So far in our series we have
defined the kingdom and the spiritual transformation of our character. It is
from this, that we begin to demonstrate a different lifestyle that creates a
culture that is unique to the Kingdom. It is from this culture we begin to
impact the world: our microcosm first, then a broader world.
In Matthew 5:13, Jesus gives us a
natural example of how we are to impact our worlds. He states: "Ye are the salt
of the earth." This idea of salt is a
powerful illustration to the impact and impression we as his church should be
making. As sent Kingdom representatives, we are responsible to live out our
relationship with him, revealing his presence, wherever he places us.
With this idea, Jesus is making a
bold statement: "Ye are the salt of the earth." This is full of expectation:
the fruit of our spiritual transformation AND its demonstration. So the implied
question is not whether we are or not: But are we functioning as salt?
It is obvious that this is
significant to Jesus, as he follows up with "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." So what is this ineffective
salt that Jesus is speaking of? Let's take a look.
The word "savor" here is an
interesting one. It is moraino and primarily means "to be foolish, or
figuratively to act as a simpleton." Breaking it down further, it is from
"moros" and means "dull or stupid" (Vine's). Whoa! Strong words from our Lord!
This meaning is brought out in
the following verses:
·
Romans
1:21-23 KJV Because
that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful;
but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became
fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like
to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
·
1 Cor
1:19-21 For it is
written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the
understanding of the prudent. Where is
the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? Hath not
God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it
pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
The big picture: salt that has
become ineffective and lost its savor are the believers that have foolishly
taken up with the world. They have reverted to the world's belief, values,
priorities and treasures. Because they have become so like the world, they have
lost their distinctiveness and thus the ability to influence, their world. This
is obviously an issue since the Kingdom culture is to be distinctly different
from the world's.
The other implication of Jesus'
statement is that the kingdom is like effective salt. Whatever salt touches -
it impacts or changes.
Because of our changed beliefs
and values, we have a changed conduct that should impact those we come into
contact with. The Lord has a plan for each of us to influence the areas of life
where he has placed us: our jobs, neighborhoods, clubs, schools, etc. He has
placed us there because he EXPECTS US to function as salt, making a difference
in the culture.
Since correct functioning of salt
is crucial to Jesus, let's take a brief look at the nature and function of
salt.
What Salt Is
Salt appears to be a simple
commodity of life you will find shelves full at a store: Yet it is valuable
commodity
It's ease of purchase and
cheapness has kept us from recognizing its value. Salt has been important part
of man's life from the very beginning:
·
Homer: called salt "divine"
·
Plato: a "substance dear to the gods"
·
Jews prized it as a preservative of food
·
And because required in sacrifices
·
The English "salary:' represented a soldiers
money allowance for salt, is from salarium: salt allotment issued to soldier of
roman army
Salt has a great value to society
so it was a great object lesson for Jesus to use. The following is a summary of
the importance of salt.
Characteristics of Salt
·
Salt is necessary for life.
The human body contains about
four ounces of salt. It is necessary for muscle movement, nerve transmission,
and production of HCL for digestion, aiding movement of fluids to and from
cells among many other things. In fact, it is so necessary for bodily functions
that the lack of it can cause death. Salt is vital part of almost every
function of our body
Kingdom disciples are to be vital
to this world: We are to be the life givers in the area He has placed us. As
salt - you and I bring life to a dying world. We do not have to worry how it
may happen, nor try to manufacture it. If we are walking as His disciple, he
will work through us.
·
Salt is Distinctive
The very nature of salt is
distinctive; you know when your favorite dish is lacking! Conversely, when you
sprinkle salt on bland food, instantly you sense a change or tasted the
difference. That is how we should be in our mico-cultures of life.
The average life of those around
us is a routine of living, jobs, kids, stress, money, etc. All becomes a rut,
blasé, and people begin to wonder: "Is this all there is to life?"
As salt, we are to stand out in a
crowd, not ostentatiously, but an obviously different lifestyle. The character
transformation should bring to our lives more joy, peace, servant attitude and
contentedness. This distinctive Kingdom lifestyle is one that our friends,
family and coworkers should notice. We should bring a distinctive flavor to our
relationships.
·
Salt is Abrasive
Salt can be abrasive: when rubbed
on something it scratches and is uncomfortable. The same can be true of the
Kingdom disciple.
Sometimes the distinctiveness of
the Kingdom will rub some people: not that we should intentionally attempt to
do so. It is just that a righteous lifestyle can bring conviction to some
around us. Their spirit senses the presence of God that is at work in us and
their fallen nature resists (probably like many of us have in the past).
This can be the reason you may
have that one person at work, school, etc who constantly makes fun or looks to
embarrass you. They ask those questions when everyone is looking to put you on
the spot - they did it to Jesus! They are doing in because what you stand for
and live is abrasive to them
·
Salt Preserves
One of significant actions of
salt is that it is a preserver. Historically, salt has been used to preserve
food. As a preserver, salt draws the water out of meat decreasing the
environment for bacterial growth, preventing the corruption of the food.
As representatives of our King
and his nature, we are to be preservatives and arrest corruption in our
environments.
Paul Wrote: "For the
preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which
are saved it is the power of God." (1
Cor 1:18) Perishing describes the
condition of our world. The word translated here also means lost or destroyed.
Those around us are lost and being destroyed by sin. This is evidenced by the
corruption in their lives and the world.
We are called to be the salt in
the world, the ones that preserve and save from destruction and perishing. We
have been placed in lives of individuals to stop the process of corruption by
bringing individuals to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
·
Salt Enhances Flavor
I could have put this subtopic
with the first one about being distinctive, but I am attempting to bring a
different application here. Salt makes things taste better! It is recorded that
Job says: "Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is
there flavor in the white of an egg? I
refuse to touch it; such food makes me ill."
(NIV Job 6:6-7) How much do you enjoy eating food not salted to
taste? It is a common complaint hospital food - needs salt! Unsalted food is
bland, flat and unexciting: Job said "I refuse to touch it, it makes me ill!"
The Kingdom lifestyle is anything
but bland and boring! We shouldn't be boring! Our function is to bring life to
a bland tasteless world! We should not be known for what we are against, but
what we are for! The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the
Spirit! (Romans 14:17). We should be excited about our King and his kingdom.
So, salt is necessary, brings
distinctiveness and life: yet salt is of no value if it remains in the salt
shaker! To be effective it must come into contact with the food.
It is the same in the Kingdom: we
cannot make an impact on others unless we come into contact with them. In my
opinion, the idea of contemporary evangelism is keeping the salt in the shaker.
We structure events to attract people to a building or event where they are
preached to. Once this is accomplished, there is little interaction with them,
unless they return for another service. The only way that the Kingdom lifestyle
becomes attractional is when they see it lived out in everyday life. Let's face
it, we can put on our "game face" for a couple of hours a week; yet it is in
the friction of daily life and relationships that our transformed beliefs and
values are made real to them.
Conclusion
Just as salt is necessary to life
and it's enjoyment, so is the disciple of Jesus as his kingdom representatives.
In many ways, those of the world may not understand our presence, values, or
way of life: Yet without Kingdom disciples, this world is tasteless, bland,
boring, not worth living.
It is our responsibility as salt
to touch the lives of those in the world, daily interacting with them in such a
way that it brings zest, flavor and preservation to their life
Q: does how I live my life make a
difference when I am on the job, at school, in neighborhood, etc.
Q: How am I Doing as a preservative in this
world? Who have I arrested the corruption of sin in their lives?
Q: am I an enthusiastic representative of
Jesus to my world?
Martin Schmaltz
Share this article:
Price: $12.95
Visitor Comments (0)
