Devotional - 98-06-26 - Saltiness

Jesus' Difficult Teachings, Part 16

(Mat 5:13 NNAS) You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

I admit it. I like salt. I don't have a sweet tooth, and I don't like a lot of rich foods, but I do enjoy salt. I think I could single-handedly keep Morton's in business! Two functions of salt are that of a preservative, and that of adding flavor, both of which we Christians need to do in our world.

Sometimes when we look around us, at the news, at television shows, the movies, some (but not all!) articles in popular magazines we could be tempted to throw our hands up in despair. It seems like we as individuals can't make much of a difference. If you are tempted to think like that, consider such individuals as Martin Luther, a simple monk who triggered a Reformation in the church because he dared to stand up against unBiblical doctrine and corrupt practices. We all have different callings. We need to be thinking, "how can I, with my gifts, in my world of church, school, work, social organizations make a difference? How can I "preserve the truth," to borrow a phrase from the Great Ends of the Church as listed in the PCUSA Book of Order, and preserve God-honoring values?"

We should also add a Christ-like flavor in our everyday worlds. When people look at us, do they see a difference in us that distinguishes us from unbelievers? In traffic, in long lines at stores (and believe me, I eagerly scope out the shortest lines myself!), in our reactions to things that don't go our way -- do our words, attitudes and actions reflect our Lord? Our behavior should stand out, should make people sit up and take notice of us. And when it does, we should give credit to God.

Next week, we will look at what to do if we have lost our saltiness.

Dear Father, please help us to be preservatives in the world, and to reflect Your Son in our words and behavior. In Jesus' name amen.

Jan