Scripture Reference: Matthew 5:13

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”

III. The Profit of Salt – Continued

From last lesson: Faithful Christians are of great value to the work of the Lord.

▪ We also need to realize that unsavory salt, salt that has lost its flavor, is good for nothing. The salt of Jesus’ day was much different than the salt of our day. In that day salt was mined from the earth and was typically laced with other substances. It often had dirt and other materials in it. Salt that had been exposed to the elements or had too much foreign material would lose its saltiness and be good for nothing but to be thrown in the foot paths similar to gravel to keep down dust and mud.

▪ The salt-less Christian is good for nothing. When we become exposed to the world and dirty with sin, we soon lose our savor. Without our savor, we have lost the qualities that make us desirable. Unsavory salt was cast out and trodden under the feet of men. It was no longer a thing of value, but became just a part of the dirt. It had no influence any more. If we lose our savor then we have become useless to the Lord. I certainly don’t want Him to cast me or any of my brothers and sisters out as a useless and unwanted vessel; I want all of us to be used as an instrument of influence for His glory.

▪ Consider a couple of quotes that John MacArthur uses in his commentary on this passage we’re studying:

▪ “Andrew Murray lived an exceptionally holy life. Among those on whom his influence was the greatest were his children and grandchildren. Five of his six sons became ministers of the gospel and four of his daughters became minister’s wives. Ten grandsons became ministers and thirteen grandchildren became missionaries.”

▪ Woodrow Wilson told the story of being in a barbershop one time. “I was sitting in a barber chair when I became aware that a powerful personality had entered the room. A man had come quietly in upon the same errand as myself to have his hair cut and sat in the chair next to me. Every word the man uttered, though it was not in the least didactic, showed a personal interest in the man who was serving him. And before I got through with what was being done to me I was aware I had attended an evangelistic service, because Mr. D. L. Moody was in that chair. I purposely lingered in the room after he had left and noted the singular affect that his visit had brought upon the barber shop. They talked in undertones. They did not know his name, but they knew something had elevated their thoughts, and I felt that I left that place as I should have left a place of worship.”

In reality salt is very small (for the most part) as it is comprised today of tiny individual grains, (for most common uses) but it can still greatly affect things that it contacts. How salty are we; in a spiritual sense? My continual prayer is that we will always have an impact on our church, our community, and our world. I want to be of use to my Lord. We desperately need more “salt” in our lives. Lord Jesus, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, make me to truly be, the salt of the earth! Amen!

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
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