Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth

Across the Preacher’s Desk

• Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth

Recorded in Matthew chapters 5 through 7 we find what we commonly refer to as “The Sermon On The Mount.” As a part of that sermon, Jesus tells his followers that they are the salt of the earth. He tells that audience in the long ago, and us today, of the influence that His followers are to have on the world around them. Jesus tells them, and speaks to us today, to say that Christian character is to be a positive force in this world.

However, we sometimes misunderstand the role that we play in being the salt of the earth. Do you remember the words of Job in Job 6:6? He said, “Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?” Yet, for salt to have any effect on “unsavory food” it must come in contact with that food. It cannot just sit in the salt shaker on the table. Salt does its work by being brought into close contact with the food it is to season. God’s people cannot influence men and women for good by withdrawing themselves from all contact with the world. It is the Lord’s will that His people be scattered throughout the world so that their influence might be felt in all walks of life.

Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. However, we must always remember that we are to be in the world, but not of the world.