September Salt
September Salt
Matthew 5:13 – “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.”
Colossians 4:6 – “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
Here we go again. The lazy days of summer have given way to a new and busy school year. Instead of lounging on the beach, you’re sitting in a classroom. Your swimsuit has transformed into jeans and a sweatshirt. Staying up late with your friends is now struggling to stay awake while studying.
With that in mind, here’s a spiritual challenge for the change of seasons: let the sweetness of summer turn into September salt! When Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth," what did He mean? Well, let’s look at a little background information first.
Our salt is a preservative.
Before the days of refrigeration, salt was used as a preservative. You couldn’t just run to the store, grab some ground beef and chicken, and then toss it in the freezer for a later date. Meat had to be infused with salt to keep it from decaying.
When Jesus compared His followers with salt, the people of that day knew He was saying that their lives and lifestyles should similarly help prevent decay and corruption in the world. As Christians, we’re the preservative of the earth. One of our jobs is to hold back the spread of sin, even when the forces of spiritual degradation surround us. Our presence in the classroom, the college dorm, on the sports field, or sitting in the stands, should help stifle the spread of sinful ideas, stories, or actions.
Our salt is pure.
Jesus also said that salt could become tasteless or lose its worth. In ancient times, salt was collected naturally. Without modern refinement processes, it could easily be contaminated with earthy deposits. This could cause a weak or unpleasant taste, and limit its power as a preservative. It was useless, thrown out, and trampled underfoot.
If Christians lose their “saltiness”—or become contaminated by the world—we become part of the problem. We fall down on the job and allow the enemy to "trample” all over us. We’re no longer active servants. Our lives and voices are powerless and silent. (Read Revelation 3:15-16 for parallel thought.)
Our salt is flavorful.
Of course, salt was also used for flavor then, just as it’s used today. As Christians, we should enhance the flavor of life to those around us. Colossians 4:6 says that our speech and conversation should not only be gracious and attractive, but also wise and guarded with the best responses for all situations. Salt dramatically changes the flavor of food. When conversations descend into questionable areas, how do we respond? Do we change the flavor with guarded wisdom and grace? Our responses will definitely be noticed by our friends and classmates.
Standing tall as a Christian on a secular campus is not easy! Every September, on every campus, the process of spiritual and moral decay begins. Our salt is desperately needed. God may have given you a sweet summer, but now He's looking for active September salt!
Remember, "You are the salt of the earth."
- Dave Reid (Originally published in 1973)
(Updated 2023, Ron Reid)