Blanco County News
Weather Fair 80.0°F (66%)
Salt & Light
Part 1
agf-blanco.com
Wednesday, August 1, 2012 • Posted August 3, 2012

Mat 5:13-16 says, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Praise God for Dan Cathy. He’s salty. The president of Chick-fil-A, and an unapologetic Christian, recently made headlines because he spoke truth. He vocalized God’s view of marriage in an interview. He stood for Biblical morality. He’s not a preacher, just a disciple of Jesus Christ. However, unlike a lot of weak-kneed preachers and Christians out there today, he didn’t hem-haw around with a bunch of, “Um… well… you see… uh… who am I to judge?” nonsense. No, he just simply said what The Bible says. He was salt and light.

Jesus said we (His disciples) are the salt of the earth. He also said that if salt loses its saltiness, it is good for nothing. It’s not fit for the land or the dung heap (Lk 14:34-35). We are to have salt in ourselves (Mk 9:50). We are to be salty. Many Christians have forgotten that in the U.S.. Political correctness has infiltrated our churches, and made it weak and anemic. Many Christians think and act like Jesus said we are to be the sugar of the earth! “Just be sweet! God is love! Don’t judge! Don’t speak truth, because it might ruffle some feathers, or hurt someone’s inner child self esteem!”. Heaven forbid.

In Leviticus 2:13, all the Old Testament sacrifices were to be offered with salt. In the New Covenant, we are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God. Do we offer salt with our sacrifice? Are we salty? In Col. 4:6, it says that our speech should be always with grace. That’s all some Christians seem to read. It actually says our speech should always be with grace, seasoned with salt. Jesus said to be salty, and have peace among yourselves. Many Christians think these two things are at odds with one another, but Jesus didn’t think so. You can be full of grace and a peace maker, and still be salty. We are not to go looking for a fight; but if a fight comes to us because we stand for God’s truth, then so be it.

Salt has many qualities. Salt preserves. A salty Christian preserves his family; his church; his community. If we are not salty, we don’t preserve. We are good for nothing. We stand aside and let our families, churches, and communities go to Hell. Salt also flavors. We are the salt of the earth. How can people “Taste and see that the Lord is good (Ps 34:8)”, if we keep our salt in the shaker? How will people see God? How will people know His righteous ways? We are to be the flavor of God on this earth.

Salt irritates. Men have wounded consciences due to sin, and salt gets in that wound and irritates it. They will accuse you of “judging” them; but the Bible and their own conscience is doing it. Though salt in those wounds burns at first, it can also heal it. A rebuke with truth doesn’t always feel good at first, but it produces healing in the long run. David said, “Let the righteous strike me; it will be a kindness (Ps 141:5)”.

As Christians, we are to speak truth. We are to say what the Bible says. It’s not about God being on our side. The question is, are we on God’s side? We are to contend with (strive against) those that forsake the law of God (Prv 28:4). We are to reprove (rebuke, disprove) the unfruitful works of darkness (Eph 5:11). We are to rebuke with all authority (1Tim 5:20, Titus 2:15). We are to earnestly contend for the faith (Jud 1:3). Our authority is God’s Word. We are to be seed sowers. We are to be salty. We are to speak what God says is right and wrong. Our opinions and philosophies hold no weight. However, God’s Word stands alone as eternal truth. If people don’t like it, they may get mad at you; but it’s God they have a problem with.

We cannot convict anyone - that’s the Holy Spirit’s job. We cannot judge heart motives - that’s His job, as well. What we can judge, and what we are to judge is what is right or wrong, based on what God says is right or wrong. That is to be our standard. Don’t call yourself a Christian if you have a different one. It may be unpopular. It may be offensive to some. It may cost you. The question is, are you going to be salt, or are you going to be good for nothing? I think Jesus is probably tired of good for nothing Christians (Rev 3:15-19).

Jesus was real salty. John the Baptist was salty. Elijah, Nehemiah, Paul - now those guys were salty. They stood for something. They stood for truth. They didn’t apologize for it. It’s time for Christians to get out of the closet and for the perverts to get back in it. It’s high time we got some steel in our spines, and started being the salt of this earth again. I’d rather be friendless and die standing for Christ’s Word than be Mr. Popular and stand for nothing. Dan Cathy is salty. Jesus likes salty - and I do, too. I’m hungry for Chick-fil-A. I wish there was one in town. I’m going to start eating there more often. Eat mor Chikin - and pass the salt!

The views expressed in this publication are the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Blanco County News or their advertisers.

This article has been read 36 times.
Comments
Readers are solely responsible for the content of the comments they post here. Comments do not necessarily reflect the opinion or approval of Blanco County News. Comments are moderated and will not appear immediately.
Comments powered by Disqus