The Sermon on the MountSample

The salt of the earth

Salt can purify, preserve, and impart flavor, but it also had a symbolic significance during Biblical times. It represented faithfulness and friendship (Ezra 4:13,14) and was a symbol of the covenant between God and His people: "It is an everlasting covenant of salt before the Lord for both you and your offspring." (Numbers 18:19 NIV). Salt was required to be added to each sacrifice for this reason (Leviticus 2:13). Believers are to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1), meaning that they should live their lives in accordance with the covenant that binds them to the Lord.

Salt is effective because it's distinct from the food it's placed in. In the same way, believers have a positive effect on the world only when they behave differently from the world. Believers must therefore influence society, not vice versa.

The world despises and tramples those who are only Christians in name. Like leaven (Matthew 13:33), salt must be dispersed in food. Believers must be salty even when they are alone, not only when they are among other believers.

Being the salt of the earth is not an external characteristic, but rather an inherent attribute of believers (Mark 9:49-51 NIV - have salt among (or in) yourselves). In addition to our behavior, it also applies to speaking the Gospel message in an appropriate manner - not insipid, but incisive (Colossians 4:5,6).

• Do people notice any differences in your behavior or speech when compared to the world?