The word salary is derived from the Latin word for salt: “sal.” Roman soldiers were often paid with salt because it was a valuable commodity in a world without refrigeration. Salt preserved foods from rotting immediately. Its nature destroyed microbes and bacteria. Not only did salt add flavor, but it also allowed foods to remain safe for eating long after they had been prepared.
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16
What makes salt lose its “savor?” Salt never expires. However, salt mixed with other agents can lose its effectiveness in preservation and flavor. If it cannot protect foods from rotting, salt is thrown out, no longer of value for the job it was meant to do.
Light works similarly. As long as there is no shadow or filter, light also kills microbes and bacteria. However, wherever shadow lies, germs live and grow. Not only does light cleanse, but it also offers hope in darkness. Like the city set on a hill, light can be seen from a distance, drawing those looking for help and sustenance from far away.
What was Jesus teaching to those who followed Him? He was emphasizing the need for purity without mixture and light without a hint of darkness. Those who lowered themselves in humility and surrender would not only glorify God, but others would want what they had. What salt and light offered was not man-made. It could only come from its Creator.
Practically speaking, Jesus’s followers were meant to preserve the world from spoiling and rottenness. To do so, they had to stay separated from any additives that would limit their effectiveness. For every follower, this is still true today. It is easy to allow those spoiling agents into the believer’s life that will ruin his testimony and spoil the outcome. In an age where grace becomes a license to “cuss a little,” “drink a little,” “gossip a little.” “watch a little uncleanness,” or any other “little sin,” salt is quickly losing its savor, and light is being buried under bushels.
From a personal perspective, this is a subtle process. Recently I began watching a show that was clean in content and engaging in its storyline. When it was over, I wanted to watch more shows like it. Unfortunately, other shows included a “little uncleanness.” At first, I tried to just skip over the bad parts, but soon uncleanness became part of the show’s storyline. As each show came to an end, I kept seeking out more, but each one seemed to include more elements that were out of line with Biblical purity. In addition, as other channels were added to watch more shows, more wickedness became available to view. It became clear how quickly my attitude could change as I accepted just a little more and a little more so I could enjoy my relaxation time. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit convicted me as I picked up my Bible one morning. I decided to spend my relaxation time in my Bible or another Bible-related book instead of turning on the television.
Satan is not opposed to using innocent things to distract us and lead us astray. It starts small, but soon, impurity grows. As we have seen in great numbers, those who once stood for the faith and led many people to Jesus have fallen into horrible sin. It didn’t start big, however. It was just a small sin that got bigger by the day. Every person is susceptible to sin’s deceptive charm. We must stay close to Jesus daily if we are to avoid sin’s mixture.
Today’s blog post is a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount series, so if you haven’t read those, be sure to go back and catch up. Jesus’s sermon is an absolutely needed reminder in the lives of Christians who have forgotten what it means to follow Jesus. I do hope it is a blessing and a help to those who take time to immerse themselves in His message. Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!
His Song in the Night 