On Being Salt
Vol. II, No. 4, September 1989
All too many Christians seem to consider salvation the final goal of the Christian life, but what a blessing they miss. It's as if someone had given them Scott free a mansion with many rooms fully furnished, each room perfectly fit for a special purpose. Then the proud, new owner happily opens the front door, takes one step inside, closes the door behind himself, and never leaves the foyer, never explores this wonderful free gift, never puts all those furnishings and utensils and tools to use, never even knows they are there.
Some of us forget all of the time; the rest of us forget some of the time that being a Christian is not just a belief, not just a state of being, but rather is a way of life ... a very active and powerful way of life. We could cite many biblical passages but for brevity will refer to just one, Matthew 5:13-16. "Ye are the salt of the earth: but 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. Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 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. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Salt is different, distinct from anything else with which it may be mixed. Just so, Christians are called to be different. The unsaved are to recognize us as Christians because we are different, because of the love we have one for the other, because we do not go along with the world system in its blind, sick, anti-Christ rebellious life.
Salt adds flavor; it brings out the best in the other parts of the meal. Likewise Christians are to bring out the best, to work for the best, to look for and cherish the best both in society and in individuals. By standing for what God says is right, we are to exert ourselves to sway our world toward the good. We are to be the conscience of men, the spokesmen of the living Word through our lives, our words, our activities, our families, our votes, the use of God's money which He has loaned to us, our attitudes toward other people, and in every other aspect of our lives. We are never to forget that we are not free men; no one is a free man. We are either bondservants of Jesus Christ or slaves to sin and Satan. There is no other choice.
Salt is a preservative, protecting meat or fish from corruption, from spoiling. Salt is a chemical compound of sodium and chlorine. Alone neither can protect or preserve. Only when combined as sodium chloride, commonly called salt, does the preservative power come forth. Analogously, the individual Christian in and of himself has no power to act as a preservative in the world. But, praise God, Jesus has not left us to act in our own strength. If He had, we would have reason to fear being different, and we would certainly fail. But we know some vital facts about heavenly power. First we know "all power is given unto (Christ) in heaven and in earth," Matthew 28:18. Second, we know that we have received power from on high, Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8. And third, we know that we who believe on Him and keep His commandments will do works even greater than Jesus did, in the power of the Holy Spirit and to the glory of the Father, John 14:12-21.
There are innumerable ways that this power can be applied to the needs of the world. You will immediately think of many in your family, your neighborhood, and your church. I want to mention just a few that apply to our communities.
Abortion is perhaps the greatest affront to God that is plaguing our nation today. Read the separate article in this issue of the Banner. Have you written our two gubernatorial candidates, the White House, our senators, and your representative? Do you know whether your local hospital murders the unborn? If they do, have you expressed yourself to the hospital management? Do you know whether your doctor kills unborn babies? If he does, should you find another doctor? (Why should you trust your life and health to a baby killer?) Do you support with money and/or time a Christian crisis pregnancy center in your area where these unfortunate women may be helped and receive a Christian witness?
Immorality and pornography are a second scourge upon our society. Are you participating in the year-long Christian boycott of the products of the two most flagrant advertisers on immoral and anti-Christian TV shows, Mennen and Clorox? Have you urged your national, state, and local officials to eliminate pornography from the mail and other interstate commerce? Have you written to the local and national managements of stores that carry pornographic magazines and videos? Have you eliminated such magazines and TV shows from your home?
Scheduling of athletic and other events on Sunday is another attack on the Lord's commands. Do you allow your children to participate? Have you politely but firmly protested to the scheduling authorities?
One of our major failings is that we Christians often assume that being saved guarantees a peaceful external life whereas Jesus explicitly told us, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword .... And he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:34,38. Does this mean some people will be offended at us? Yes. Does this mean that some personal, even family relationships will be strained or broken? Of course. Read Matthew 10:35-37. Not that we seek to offend, but if we are true to God, others will take offense at us. Does this mean that some folks in our communities will dislike us? You bet! But does this mean that when we get to heaven King Jesus will say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master." Amen.