d Light.” Life would be bland without salt. Who would ever imagine that something as simple and small as salt could be so essential? Our word, “salary,” derives from the word, “salt,” a derivative from the Latin word, “salarium,” when Roman soldiers were paid in salt signifying its essential importance as a daily necessity as well as a medium of barter. In my grandfather’s generation, a man whose work was reliable and valued was often described as, “worth his weight in salt.” In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clarified the character of a true disciple. He said of them, “You are the salt of the earth . . you are the light of the world . . let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.” Everyone who names the name of Christ, embraces Kingdom expectations from both God and man, being obliged to evidence character and conduct befitting a Christ-follower. In preceding verses, Kingdom character is defined in practical ways. Unlike most other things, salt does not require vast measures to be effective; in fact, too much salt can be distasteful, even harmful. Salt interacts in meaningful ways with profound effect. The smallest sampling of salt contains potential for disproportionate effect. Whenever you feel a big, bad world needs something or someone with much more to contribute than you, remember Jesus’ words, “You are the salt of the earth.” Your world is, “the daily reach of your words and example in the circle of influence and opportunities the Lord gives you.” You make a difference disproportionate to your individual contribution, more than you know or may notice at any moment. Keep salting and shining. In the right measure, salt contributes its own beneficial taste while enhancing the flavor of other elements as well. When you are willing to be better, you will make everything around you better. Salt is a preservative; it prevents decay. Before refrigeration was common, meat was preserved by being thoroughly salted, then hung to cure.. Popular culture seems to be increasing darkness and worsening decadence, exactly where salt and light make the greatest difference. Paul was clear, “That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the Word of life . .” You have to be different from the world to make a difference in the world. “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Your being here is destiny, not coincidence. The fate of her nation depended on Godly response; a generation may depend on yours. The Bible describes David as a man who, “served his generation by the will of God.” That can be true of you. Many lives would be spiritually bland without your contribution. Jesus also gave strong warnings about salt and light, “What good is salt if it has lost its flavor . . it will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless . . Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all.”. God has placed you where you are in order to shine. Choose to live in a way that distinguishes Jesus. I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. ~ John 15:5, NLT
Posted on: Sat, 13 Jul 2013 14:05:47 +0000
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