“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is henceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”~ Mathew 5:13

To truly understand what it means for us, as believers, to be the salt of the earth, we must first understand the purpose and value of salt on the earth.

Of course, we know that salt is valuable for taste. Imagine preparing a meal with the finest ingredients and the best proteins, yet without salt, how would it taste?
Technically, there would be nothing distinct to taste.
Try boiling rice without salt, and you’ll notice a very clear difference in flavor.

But beyond taste, salt’s major function is preservation.
In ancient times, long before refrigerators or modern technology, salt was used to preserve food such as meat and fish, keeping them from decay.

Salt also serves as a purifying agent, and it remains a timeless natural cleanser. It’s still used in washing and cleansing vegetables, meat, and fish to remove dirt and impurities. In earlier times, it was also used to disinfect wounds and cuts, preventing infection.

Now that we understand the core purposes of salt beyond taste, we can see that, in the same way, we as Christians are called to be the salt of the earth, preserving, purifying, and giving value to the world.

We are to preserve the truth, godliness, and holiness upon the earth. Through us, the life of holiness that God demands is to be preserved and sustained.

We are also called to purify the earth, cleansing it from every impurity and everything that is not of God.
Think of all the unholiness present in the world today;  the idols of men, the moral decay, and the abominations that seem to thrive in our societies.

What role have we played in stopping such errors from gaining expression in our communities, our cities, and our nations?
What steps have we taken to preserve holiness and godliness where we live and work?

This is why God refers to us as the salt of the earth,  that we may preserve and purify, maintaining a spiritual “flavor” on the earth that pleases Him.

Prayer: Father help me take up my position as the salt of the earth.