[Jesus continued:] "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless."
—Matthew 5:13 NLT
How does salt become "unsalty"? That's a logical question for folks who get their salt out of saltshakers and primarily use it for seasoning. In Jesus' day, salt was also an essential preservative. If salt were to lose its saltiness, then it would be good only to act as weed killer on the path where people frequently walked. In much the same way, the disciple who does not live by Kingdom-family values will lose his or her ability to influence and preserve the culture. In other words, Jesus was not interested in getting a group together just to have club meetings. He was calling disciples so that the righteousness, justice, and compassion of God could be shared and modeled to the world. If his disciples were to lose those things, then of what good and positive influence could they be?
Holy and Righteous God, I want to share your grace and bring your deliverance and joy to my friends, co-workers, and neighbors. Please help my influence in each of these places to be a blessing and a positive influence. Please forgive me for the times I have not been a preserving, redeeming, and saving influence to those around me. In the name of Jesus who has saved me. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—Matthew 5:13 NLT
Key Thought
How does salt become "unsalty"? That's a logical question for folks who get their salt out of saltshakers and primarily use it for seasoning. In Jesus' day, salt was also an essential preservative. If salt were to lose its saltiness, then it would be good only to act as weed killer on the path where people frequently walked. In much the same way, the disciple who does not live by Kingdom-family values will lose his or her ability to influence and preserve the culture. In other words, Jesus was not interested in getting a group together just to have club meetings. He was calling disciples so that the righteousness, justice, and compassion of God could be shared and modeled to the world. If his disciples were to lose those things, then of what good and positive influence could they be?
Today's Prayer
Holy and Righteous God, I want to share your grace and bring your deliverance and joy to my friends, co-workers, and neighbors. Please help my influence in each of these places to be a blessing and a positive influence. Please forgive me for the times I have not been a preserving, redeeming, and saving influence to those around me. In the name of Jesus who has saved me. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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