Of course I know the scripture reference Matthew 5:13...we are the salt of the Earth! Familiar scripture right? But before I completely embrace a thing I must have full understanding. I am drawn to the phrase....but why? God always has a meaning that is more than meets the eye I have come to find out. Lets look at the natural....what is salt? What are the benefits? What detriment can it cause? Follow me on this salty trail....we are going somewhere!
So according to a graduate student's best friend (namely Wikipedia.com) salt is an ESSENTIAL mineral. So without it we will DIE...interesting! Point taken! Next we find it is a basic taste and a powerful preservative. It is an important regulator of fluid balance and with overconsumption can cause high blood pressure. Lets review...
- Salt is ESSENTIAL
- Salt is BASIC
- Salt is a PRESERVATIVE
- Salt is a REGULATOR OF FLUID
- Overconsumption can cause HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Lets start with ESSENTIAL...
To be essential is to be something that is NEEDED. Without the essentials, there is no life. So are Christians essential? The book of Revelations tells us that the Earth would get HURT if it was not for the SERVANTS of God.
2Then I saw a second angel coming up from the east (the rising of the sun) and carrying the seal of the living God. And with a loud voice he called out to the four angels who had been given authority and power to injure earth and sea,
3Saying, Harm neither the earth nor the sea nor the trees, until we have sealed the bond servants of our God upon their foreheads. [Rev 7:1-3]
Next is BASIC....
I didn't know what to do with this one initially but I was determined to find an answer...
So basic is something that is foundational, fundamental, at the base...hmmm Usually foundations are pretty strong...they last through any storm. Like the foundation of a house. Is this true for the believer?
PRESERVATIVE...that is easy! Reference back to Revelation 7....we are the reason the earth hasn't been destroyed! Sounds like a preservative to me....doesn't it? Only two points left....
A REGULATOR OF FLUID. I like this one because in my current field Ive learned a lot about this aspect of salt. Let me explain, in the cell water always unless hindered will follow salt out or into a cell to keep the cellular environment from being disturbed. If this didn't happen, some cells would shrink and others would burst. How in the world does this apply to Christians? When we see water in the bible it usually has something to do with new life....baptism, floods, rain, etc... Well as believers new life follows us everywhere we go. We carry the GOSPEL (the truth...the key to EVERLASTING LIFE)!
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. [John 4:14]
We have the answer to new life (Matt 28:16-20)...and those that follow after us will find it and have new life.
Overconsumption causes high blood pressure. Too much of most things usually turns out to be to our detriment. The bible tells to be wise with this gospel. How can our saltiness be a bad thing? We all know high blood pressure can kill you. Well when we "over spiritualize" and get "spooky" by putting pressure on people to conform....it drives them away from us! That pressure we apply can turn away the lost and that will kill them! God is the perfect gentlemen...He will never force us to accept Him...we should be the same.
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned (NOT DROWNED IN...) with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. [Colossians 4:6]