What You Are: (Part 1) SALT
By: Ben Fronczek
Reading: Matthew 5:1-12
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Have you ever honestly thought about how you come across to others?
More than likely, everybody that comes in contact with you will see you differently. Some will like what they see in you and your personality, and you will probably irritate others to different degrees. Some won’t even want to be in your presence.
But you know, I’ve learned as I’m sure you have, that you can’t please everybody, and really that’s not what our life should be all about. Rather, the most important thing should be our desire to please God. Because when it’s all said and done, how God looks at us is what really matters in the end.
In the Sermon on the MT. Jesus talked about how to be truly blessed and find real happiness. No it’s not about how much you have in the bank or how big your house is, or even how much we own; those things don’t bless our soul or provide lasting happiness or contentment deep down in our spirit.
Rather Jesus said that we will have a blessed life and find real contentment if we change some of our attitudes, and priorities.
– He said we will be more happy and blessed if we become humble, if we are poor in spirit. Why? Because we become teachable, sensitive, and more adaptable, rather than being a hard headed know it all.
– He also said that we will be happier if we are of the disposition to mourn or grieve, especially when we sin or do what isn’t right, because that’s the first step in being comforted.
– He also said we will be happier if we have a gentle or meek disposition rather that than one that is harsh, or mean.
– Next He said that we will be happier or blessed if we hunger and thirst after doing what is good and right, especially if it is pleasing to God.
– He said we will be happier, even blessed if we willing to show mercy to others rather that vengeance.
– Life will also be blessed if we choose to become pure in heart.
– And, doing our best to be a peace maker will also bless our lives and help us to find real happiness. In doing so we will be recognize as God sons and daughters.
– Even persecution for doing what is right, persecution for trying to be a good Christian will provide a blessing and give us more joy than distress; because in our gut we know we are doing what’s right and in God’s eyes. In doing so, you will be like the prophets of old, even like Jesus Himself who was persecuted because they were good and trying to do what was right in God’s sight.
And so this leads me back to my original question; how do you think you come across to others? Because if you are truly attempting to be a good Christian, the more you apply these Be-attitudes the more your life will have an impact on others.
I would like to begin a new series of lessons called, WHAT YOU ARE. I’d like to talk about what we are called or referred to as Christians in the Bible. In doing so I hope it will open your eyes as to how important you are and maybe I can help you become more aware of the role and responsibilities that may be laid out for you and me as we live out our life as a Christian.
Here in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has a lot of important things to say, including how blessed it will be if we have the right attitude and how we can be have a tremendous impact on others. Listen to what Jesus has to say next in Matthew, verses 5:13-16.
“You are the salt of the earth. 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.”
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Jesus is letting us know that if we choose to try to live this blessed life that He has been talking about, then by nature we are going to be like salt and light in this world, in our communities, even in our own households.
So first of all we are called or referred to as Salt.
Salt is an interesting mineral. I’m told that one of the saltiest products on the McDonald’s menu is not the fries, but the milk shakes because salt makes a sweet thing taste sweeter.
How important is salt? Here are just a few fun facts about salt:
– 200 million tons are required each year to fill our needs. (That’s like 13.4 million Dump trucks full fo salt)
– In ancient Greece, the exchange of salt for slaves gave rise to the expression, “…not worth his salt.”
– Special salt rations were given to Roman soldiers which were known as “Solarium Argentums” the forerunner of the English word “Salary.”
– The word salad literally means “salted”, and comes from the ancient Roman practice of salting leaf vegetables.
– Thousands of Napoleon’s troops died during his retreat from Moscow because their wounds would not heal from lack of salt.
– The human body contains about 240 g or 4oz. of salt. Our body doesn’t store it like sugar, therefore we need a constant supply of it in small doses (3 to 5 g/day) to remain healthy. Without enough of it, our nervous system will not work properly, muscles won’t contract, blood won’t circulate, food won’t digest and the heart won’t beat. Salt helps regulate a proper balance of water in our body. Without a doubt, salt is important for life.
Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth…”
Some uses of Salt In Bible times salt was gathered in Palestine from along the seashore or inland lakes.
1. IT WAS USED AS SEASONING: In Bible times and still today, salt is used for seasoning our food. Salt seems to enhance or bring out the flavor of what we are eating. Even though small amount of it is hardly noticeable to the eye it makes a difference when applied. In the Bible, Salt was also used to flavor the offerings and sacrifices (Lev. 2:13, Ez.43:24)
2. Preservative: For thousands of years it has been used to preserve food. They did not have the refrigeration systems that we have today and so meat and fish were salted and dried to preserve them. You can also pickle vegetables with salt. Salt was also used in Egypt in the process of mummifying their rulers.
3. Salt has healing properties Salt water helps to kill bacteria and prevent infection. From saline solution to clean out eyes and flush sinuses, salt has been used in many ways to heal and give comfort to the body. But in a bad wound salt can sting or burn as it goes to work healing.
4. It was also used as Symbol of Friendship: Salt was seen as a covenant relationship. In Numbers 18:19 Moses wrote, “It is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord with you and your descendants with you.” So salt also represented a relationship of trust.
5. Salt was so valued it was also used as currency and for trade.
In some places and at different times salt was traded ounce for ounce for gold because it was so precious and important.
So what did Jesus mean by this statement, that we are salt?
I believe it refers to the silent workings of a Christian in the lives of others as come in contact with them. It is the influence we should have on others; to season, sweeten, and preserve and promote healing for eternal life.
Christ is saying let your influence season the life of others for the kingdom. Salt changes things. A wholesome Christian life should influence or change the lives of others on a spiritual level.
But like someone has said, “Salt is no good if it never leaves the salt shaker, it is only a decoration on the kitchen table.”
– We deny the function of the salt when we fail to be salt and get out there and act like a Christian by being kind, merciful, and like a peacemaker.
– We deny the salt function when we fail to mingle with people that are lost with the purpose in mind to have a positive effect on them.
And by not doing this or acting like we should we deny what Jesus expects of us. As Christians we are not to draw away from society, but rather season it. We are no longer of the world, but we live in it. And if we as Salt don’t rub against those who have no flavor, or those who have wounds of sin, and are perishing, who will?
One of the interesting things about salt is that when it’s used, it loses itself, it disappears. You don’t see salt in your food because after it makes its contribution it disappears. When it is used in various chemical processes, it dissipates after fulfilling its purpose. Salt used on a icy highways makes winter travel safe as it disappears.
In the same way, being a salty Christian, or in being the salt of the earth, one should not hesitate to give of themselves without the need to be seen.
Jesus said, “You are the salt” He didn’t say, ‘You might be, you ought to be.’ No, you are the salt! We are either the salty or not. And if we aren’t He goes on to say that we are no longer good for anything and should be thrown out.
Today I’m here to remind you that you are Salt!
Whether you want to or not, you have an effect on others.
– You can be the one helping to heal, or the one hurting others.
– You can either build others up, or tear them down.
– You can either encourage, or discourage.
– You can either helps someone, or hinder them from moving forward.
– You can either impress them by Christ-like behavior, or repulse them by your selfish behavior and discredit Christianity and the church by doing so.
I’m sure by now you getting the idea!
So what do you think, what kind of effect are you having on others? Rather than making you feel guilty about what you have done in the past, I want to encourage you with the reality that the past is the past but the future holds many new opportunities to be salt in the lives of others.
As we take on the character of salt, one of two things is going to happen as you interact with others:
(1) Our conduct will help to melt cold hearts of others, and like with some foods, our salt may enhance them, maybe even make them sweeter, or
(2) Like salt in an open wound, that can sting, you may even cause some pain. Maybe you are feeling that sting from God’s word today. And Rather than melting and seasoning someone’s heart, some may get up-set and turn on you. Jesus lets us know that they may even persecute you.
But remember, if they mock us because of our Godly behavior, they mock the things of God. In truth they are rejecting Him.
So my encouragement this day is to act as Jesus would have you act, and may your influence be like salt.
For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566
All comments can be emailed to: bfronzek@gmail.com