Jesus' followers as salt.

“Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.”¹

“What could they do in so large a province as the whole earth? Nothing, if they were to work by force of arms and dint of sword; but, being to work silent as salt, one handful of that salt would diffuse its savour far and wide...” The teaching of the Gospel is salt.²

Could it be that the Church is despised in the western world because, to a large extent we have lost our saltiness?

In Scripture, salt is used for, seasoning food³ seasoning sacrifices⁴ ratifying covenants⁵ and strengthening new-born infants⁶.⁷ Elisha used salt to purify the water in a well at Jericho.⁸

“Salt sôlt (מלח, melaḥ; ἄλας, hálas, ἄλς, háls): Common salt is considered by most authorities as an essential ingredient of our food. Most people intentionally season their cooking with more or less salt for the sake of palatability. Others depend upon the small quantities which naturally exist in water and many foods to furnish the necessary amount of salt for the body. Men and animals alike instinctively seek for this substance to supplement or improve their regular diet. The ancients appreciated the value of salt for seasoning food. So necessary was it that they dignified it by making it a requisite part of sacrifices. A 'covenant of salt' is mentioned.⁹ This custom of pledging friendship or confirming a compact by eating food containing salt is still retained among Arabic-speaking people. The Arabic word for 'salt' and for a 'compact' or 'treaty' is the same. Doughty in his travels in Arabia appealed more than once to the superstitious belief of the Arabs in the 'salt covenant,' to save his life. Once an Arab has received in his tent even his worst enemy and has eaten salt (food) with him, he is bound to protect his guest as long as he remains.

Salt was used not only as a food, but as an antiseptic in medicine. Newborn babes were bathed and salted, a custom still prevailing. The Arabs of the desert consider it so necessary, that in the absence of salt they bathe infants in camels' urine.”¹⁰

“Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God---what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.”^{11 12}

I have referred to several English translations of the Bible in writing this which is made easy by e-sword, a free downloadable program. For further information I recommend reading the Bible.

© Ken Glasgow 2010 Last edited 14 March 2021

This page was written using Open Office 3.2.1, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

1Matthew 5:13, “The Message” paraphrase of the Bible.

2Matthew Henery's commentary on the Whole Bible.

3Job 6:6.

4Leviticus 2:13 & Ezekiel 43:24.

5Numbers 18:19 & 2 Chronicles 13:5.

6Ezekiel 16:4.

7R. A. Torrey's New Topical Text Book.

82 Kings 2:18-21.

9Numbers 18:19 & 2 Chronicles 13:5.

10See also: Leviticus 2:13, Ezra 6:9 & 7:21-22, Job 6:6, Ezekiel 16:4 & 43:24,

11Romans 12:2, the Good News Bible.

12International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.