10.04.12 -Verse of the Day: Being Salt

I hate pepper.
I always have.
Probably always will.
I always thought it was the worst thing in the entire world. It had a weird taste, appearance, and name. Pepper. That is just a really weird word. I remember my parents would always convince me it wasn't that bad. But I was a stubborn child. I had made up my mind, this was stuff wasn't normal and therefore did not belong on my food. Now pepper's counterpart I had different feelings for.

Ever since I was little, I loved salt. I used to eat it out of the little packages they had at Wendy's whenever I could. I now realize that was gross, like really gross; like I probably won't eat salt for the rest of the day because I reminded myself of that. Thanks Bethany, way to go! (insert cheesy sarcastic smile here). 

Anyways, while growing up and attending Sunday School, I would always hear the phrases, "We are the light of the world" or "We are the salt of the earth". Now these phrases always confused me, especially the one about salt. In fact, I remember giggling during a service once because the pastor kept calling everyone salt. That was like calling everyone barbecue sauce in my mind, it was hilarious. Why would he do that? How on earth are we salt?

I never really knew the answer to that question until probably the towards the end of middle school. Over the years, I have learned that different verses in the Bible can mean different things in general and to different people. It all depends on the person's perspective. For someone who has been saved all their life, John 3:16 may not have that big of an impact on them anymore. They have heard that verse probably over a thousand times. They know they're saved and want to move on. However, for someone who just was saved or knows nothing about salvation, the verse that promises eternal life to those who believe in Him could be the best news they have ever heard in their life. This verse could be promising them eternity and leading them to what God has their life. It could lead them to his love, which is the most powerful thing in the universe. 

The power of perspective plays a huge role in everyone's lives whether they are Christians or not. Perspective opens our eyes to things we never thought we would ever or could ever see or believe. Recently I heard a couple other perspectives on the verse about being salt to the world which I would like to share with you.

So the other day I was reading out of one of my favorite books "Do Hard Things" by Alex and Brett Harris. I was about half way through when I got to this part in the book and I just thought it was really cool.

"When we think about salt, our first thought is probably something along the lines of, Gotta have some of that on my popcorn. But Jesus isn't talking about salt like we use it today. Although salt was used to flavor food during the Roman era, it's primary use was as a preservative. in a world without refrigerators or deep freezers, a little salt rubbed into meat would slow decay.

          So when Jesus tells us we are "the salt of the earth", he's saying we have been placed here to preserve it until he returns-to fight against the decay of sin, to combat sickness and suffering, and to oppose corruption and injustice." -Do Hard Things

Most of us Christians know the verse this was referring to, Matthew 5:13-16. It goes like this,

"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."

 Now I think this is really cool, just saying. A lot of people think that being 'the salt of the earth' means that we are to be the flavor of Christ on earth and that people will eventually come to His kingdom if we are continually seasoning the earth with Christ's truth (I probably didn't phrase that the way it should have been, but oh well. I hope you understand what its saying). Both explanations of this verse makes since to me, which just proves the point that verses can have different meanings and God meant for them to have so many different purposes.

Honestly, I think both perspectives kinda lead to the same conclusion. One says we are preserving the earth until Jesus returns, which we are. The other says that we are to flavor the earth with Christ's truth which we are since we're living here everyday with Christ inside of us. But if you think about it, they both imply being a representation of Christ. I know, I've said this before, but as a reminder (in case you forgot), each and every one of us was made in God's image. Voila, representation of Christ #1. Next, when we accept Christ in to our hearts, He is now living inside of us. So he is living inside you, and you were made in his image. So he's living in his own image. Ain't that cool? That was representation #2.

So I guess to sum all this up, God wants us to be his salt and light to the world. And we may not know exactly how to do that or we may feel like we could never be a good example because we're too much of a bad person to be salt and light and to help other people. But I do know, that if you cry out to God. He will hear you. He will always be with you. If you need help, he will provide it. All you need do, is seek him. If you feel unworthy or think you are a bad person, cry out to him and seek him. If you think, you are a good person and this post didn't really apply to you, cry out and seek God anyways. He will always be there for you. He will never leave your side. Now will you be the light of the world with me? Will you be the salt to the earth with me?



Ps. I still hate pepper for all who were wondering.