Sitting in the mall, at the table, with my "New York" French fries just coated in salt, I delighted in the taste. I offered them around, but it seems no-one likes as much salt as I do. "Mmmmmm, delicious!" I'd say.
When I'm told the salt is harmful, I just reply that my doctor says I don't have to watch my salt intake, because I have such very low blood pressure. I just lick my fingers and thumb, when I've finished, to enjoy the flavour to the last minute.
Salt makes people thirsty. Am I — are we — salty Christians, making others thirsty for Jesus Christ? Our influence should have an effect for Jesus on everyone about us. Jesus called his disciples the salt of the earth.
Matthew 5:13 – You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavour? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. (NLT)
As for my French fries, salt is a seasoning. It adds flavour. It is an antiseptic; it has a healing quality. It also prevents decay; it is a preservative. We are to preserve and purify the good in the world and bring new flavour to life.
Salt has an important work to do, but it does it inconspicuously. It is not effective unless it is applied.
God poured out Himself, for mankind, in love, by sending His Son to become the Saviour of the world. Jesus poured out Himself, for the world, by dying on the cross. We are not effective for our Lord unless we pour ourselves out in service, for those in need of Jesus.
The next time we find ourselves pouring salt while making pastry or adding it to French fries, let's pause and think just how willing we have been to share the love of Christ with others. A little? A lot? None at all? If we lose the desire to "salt the earth", then we are useless to Him, and we fail to represent Christ.
God is good — all the time! Are we?
Let us take a good long think.
Prayer: Lord, You are so awesome. You are so good to us. Help us, we pray, to aim toward becoming more like You each and every day. In the way we live our lives, by the things we say, may others see You in us. May we go around sprinkling the flavour of Your love to those crying out for help. Help us to show them where to get nourishment by reading Your Word, by prayer, and in so doing drawing closer to You, our friend and Saviour. Without You we are nothing. Help us to be a good influence on others, to be salty Christians. In Your name we pray. Amen.
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