Jesus Calls us to be The Salt of the Earth

When you eat at a good restaurant, we enjoy the good food. No one praises the salt, but if the salt is missing, you don’t enjoy the food.

What did Jesus say about salt?

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. Mt 5:13 NKJV

Salt enhances the flavour of food, but if the salt is or contaminated, it is no use. If you give food to the needy, you are serving people, but also God, because God cares for people in need. On the other hand, if you give food that is contaminated, stale, sour or tasteless, you are just a hypocrite.

Jesus said we must love our neighbour as we love ourselves. If you give food, it should be food that you would be happy to eat yourself.

There are many ways to be kind and helpful, but your kindness must be motivated by the love and truth of God. If you do good deeds to be noticed and praised, the people you help will not feel good about it.

Properly used, salt does not draw attention to itself but rather draws attention to the flavour of the food.

In the Bible, salt is a sign of a covenant. Helpful deeds and evangelism must be an expression of the love of Jesus, coming from your dedication to God.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 1 Cor 13:2–3 NKJV

The Apostle Paul also spoke about salt.

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Col 4:6 NKJV

Here, salt is associated with grace, unconditional love and kindness, sharing the goodness of God without being judgemental. The way we talk to people must be kind, understanding and respectful.

Salt is good, but too much salt draws attention to itself and spoils the food. This is like harsh legalistic religion and aggressive bible bashing. It can correct sin but the resulting moralistic character can be more harmful than the sins of the flesh.

We must be always be kind, understanding and respectful.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Mt 7:1–2 NIV