Tuesday, July 15, 2008

A PIECE OF MY HEART...salt of the earth


Recently, my husband and I went to the beach on vacation. We LOVE the beach. The sounds of the waves. Riding the big waves. Snorkeling. The warm sand in between our toes. The romantic walks down the beach at evening. Digging for sand crabs. Discovering hidden treasure buried underneath the sand, like unique seashells.

There is one thing that I DO NOT like and that is when the salty water gets in my mouth or in my eyes.

Have you ever wondered why fresh water fish cannot live in salt water? The salt water fish are adapted to salt water conditions. There are many other minerals in salt water besides salt that many species of fish need. They need those other minerals in order to survive or they would die in fresh water.

Have you ever considered Matthew chapter 5 that refers to us as the salt of the earth? If we do not share our faith with others, they will surely die. Much like the salt water fish - we have the ingredient unbelievers need to survive!

MATTHEW 5:13-16
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 'You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

PURPOSE OF SALT
" You are the salt of the earth. " Jesus emphasises to the disciples that they have both the calling and the responsibility to be influences in the world. Salt has a number of effects :

1. AS A SEASONING
It improves the taste of the food that it comes into contact with, and so as we come into contact with society, our Christian values should improve the nature of those we come in contact with.

2. SALT MAKES PEOPLE THIRSTY
As Christians, we should seek to create a thirst in people's lives that can only be satisfied by Jesus, who said : "if anyone is thirsty, let him come to me me and drink" (John 7:37)

3. SALT IS USED TO THAW ICE ON ROADS
So it can have the effect of warming hearts that have hardened against the gospel - over time, the saltiness of Christians can bring people to know Jesus Christ.

4. SALT USED AS A PRESERVATIVE
Salt gives food an improved length of life. Ultimately, with enough salt, those who do know Jesus, and acknowledge Him as Lord and Saviour, will have eternal life.


ARE YOU BEING THE
SALT IN YOUR WORLD?



And that's a piece of my heart today,


3 comments:

Cheri said...

You know I love me some SALT!! Pass it on over! :)

Sharon said...

This is another excellent post, Laurie! Thanks for sharing a piece of your heart!

Extravagrant Worshiper said...

Wow.....being Salt to the whole earth.....letting that sink in....wow, need some salt.