Gracious Jesus 3 – Kingdom Lifestyle Part 1 Sample

Salt of the Earth

Jesus compares us, His children, to salt and light.

Both have common and unique properties. The common properties include a massive influencing power on their surroundings; the properties are inherent – their fundamental quality.

As Christ shines through us, we will experience changes from within transforming us.

Understanding salt and light in the times of Christ will help us understand what we can be as the salt and light of the world.

• Salt purifies and cleanses - Elisha’s purifying of the waters of Jericho by using salt symbolizes the power of God through the purifying property of salt. 2 Kings 2:21 “Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.’ ”
• Salt preserves - It prevents decay by delaying putrefaction. Exodus 30:35 “…make of these an incense, a compound according to the art of the perfumer, salted, pure, and holy.”
• Salt seasons - Salt has the ability to give flavor to that which is otherwise bland. Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
• Covenant of salt - A permanent agreement between God and His people. 2 Chronicles 13:5 “Should you not know that the Lord God of Israel gave the dominion over Israel to David forever, to him and his sons, by a covenant of salt?” We often use the phrase “My tumhara namak kaya” (“I have eaten your salt” in Hindi) indicating an enduring relationship after sharing a meal.
• Salt was money - Salt was, in fact, used as wages in the old days. That is where the term “you are worth your salt” came from.

If the salt loses its saltiness, it is to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. This could, for example, happen when salt transported by sea is hit by waves till only chemicals remain. It is then used for filling roads — and trampled underfoot.

As Christians, we can be supremely impactful or completely worthless. When we abandon the purpose God has for our lives, we lose our worth. When we fulfill it, God makes us far more valuable than we’ve ever imagined. We need to trust the Holy Spirit, obey Him and let Him work through us.

What is the inherent quality in our lives? Does it give flavor to all around us?