YE ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH

YE ARE---SALT

Mat 5:13 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.

Salt was used for flavoring food, and for preserving food.

When used in right proportions for flavoring, it is taken for granted, but most of us know what happens when it is left out of the gravy. Ugh!

I know very little about salt as a preservative, but that is not a crucial point right now. What IS IMPORTANT is that Jesus likened the lives of certain humans to the combination of elements that make up what is known as salt.

Our manner of life is IMPORTANT to the KINGDOM OF GOD on the earth. It is, perhaps, the MOST COMPELLING reason for us to endeavor to live according to the Plan of God for our life while here on earth.

Salvation, being a GIFT, does not require as much attention to our manner of life as does a place in the KINGDOM OF GOD. It doesn’t take a great amount of effort to maintain a “run-of-the-mill” type of Christian life. Following the crowd will usually suffice very well. When the crowd moves to a new fad or a new location—simply follow them. “Go with the flow”, as the saying goes. Staying in the “popularity circuit”, and moving with the “majority crowd” is gratifying to the flesh, and sometimes exciting. It is also somewhat un-productive, Spiritually.

Striving for KINGDOM STATURE, on the other hand has a far-reaching effect—both on us, and on those around us. It requires more strict attention to the things that are important to God and His Word. God has placed a very high value on motives and desires of the heart, whereas humans place more value on behavior that is acceptable in our Christian Society.

Close scrutiny will reveal that MOST of the New Testament—especially the Epistles of Paul and the others,-- consist primarily of INSTRUCTIONS IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, without which there is absolutely no hope of ever seeing the KINGDOM. Millions of “saved” people will never see the KINGDOM OF GOD.

Luk 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

1Pe 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1Pe 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
1Pe 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
1Pe 3:12 FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE OVER THE RIGHTEOUS, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Kingdom Living will have a profound effect upon the rest of the world, and especially the community in which we are living. When we obey the Word and the Spirit of God, an influence is released into the area surrounding us, and conditions are created that we probably know nothing about at the time. BUT GOD KNOWS, and He is greatly pleased. Our Obedience creates an atmosphere in which the Spirit of God can work in the lives of those around us. Thus, a “flavor” is created in the community that is scarcely noticed by the majority of the people who are affected by it.

The BEST way that we can “help” others is to obey God ourselves.