Salt Cellars vs. Salt Shakers

At Victory Church yesterday I spoke on the subject of "Witnessing as Salt and Light."

Acts 1:8 records one of the five great commissions in Scripture and Jesus said there that we are to be "witnesses." The question then is this, "How are we to witness?" I believe the answer can be found in the great "Sermon on the Mount" that begins in Matthew chapter 5.  Jesus said this: "you are the salt of the earth" and "you are the light of the world."

That in itself is intriguing and to me it brings up more questions, like, "How are we to be salt?  What does that mean?  How are we to be light and what is the meaning behind it all?"  Well, I believe it can be summed up this way: salt is influence and light is your testimony.

Salt has a profound influence on everything it comes in contact with, therefore, we as Christians should have the same type of influence as salt.  Listed are several attributes of salt that we as Christians should resemble:

1. Salt is pure.  We as Christians should strive to live pure lives with a pure heart (1 Timothy 1:5) and a pure conscience (1 Timothy 3:9).
2. Salt cleanses.  As Christians, with the attitudes mentioned in Matthew 5:1-12,we should have a cleansing effect on everyone around us; at home, on the job and throughout the community.
3. Salt seasons.  Salt changes the flavor of things and we as Christians should have a seasoning influence.
4. Salt makes it's presence known.  You know immediately if you food is too salty.  In the same way, we as Christians should make our presence known simply by how we live our lives. Here are some ways: pay your bills on time, work hard, do not steal from the company (whether it's a pen or time), do not gossip, etc.
5. Salt makes you thirsty.  If we are the right kind of Christian we will make unbelievers and unchurched people "thirsty" for what we have!
6. Salt is an irritant. When we are living out our Christian lives we may irritate some people; especially those who are living sinful lifestyles.  There is an old fashion word for that called -- conviction!
7. Salt must be spread around.  Too many churches are like the picture you see above; we have become "salt cellars."  We as Christians, have enough salt to influence the world if we can get it out of the cellars and into the shakers!

Will you be a salt shaker for Christ?  Be a person of Godly influence. You can listen to this message via our podcast. To listen just click here.

Comments

[Pastor Penn]

Pastor Jon,
Yesterday in my devotions I came across Mark 9:49. "Everyone will be salted with fire"

What's your take on this?

[Jon Cannon]

Hi Travis,

Wow! Talk about a toe stumper!

Well (?????) Here is my take on it! The first things is that this is a very puzzling statement, and it is unique only to Mark, and one more thing...it is difficult to interpret. Actually there are about 15 possible explanations! Therefore, I will attempt to give a few:

(1) "Everyone" could refer to every unbeliever who enters hell (reference vs. 42-49). They will be "salted with fire" in the sense that as salt preserves food so they will be preserved throughout an eternity of fiery judgment.

(2) “Everyone” could refer to every disciple living in this hostile world. They will be “salted with fire” in the sense that Old Testament sacrifices were seasoned with salt (Lev. 2:13; Ezek. 43:24). Disciples, living sacrifices (cf. Rom. 12:1), will be seasoned with purifying fiery trials (cf. Prov. 27:21; Isa. 48:10; 1 Peter 1:7; 4:12). The trials will purge out what is contrary to God’s will and preserve what is consistent with it.

(3) “Everyone” could refer to every person in general. All will be “salted with fire” in a time and manner appropriate to their relationship with Jesus—for nonbelievers, the preserving fire of final judgment; for disciples, the refining fire of present trials and suffering.

What do you think?

[Pastor Penn]

I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one finding this a difficult passage. I think #2 seems to make the most sense to me. But the context does make it very hard. You have the reference to hell in the beginning of the context, and then the reference to being salt in the world at the end of the context. The salt of fire seems to bridge the gap.

If I come upon any other ideas about this passage I'll let you know. Thanks for sharing your ideas and thanks for blogging.

Doing my best to be salt and light,
Pastor Penn.

[Jon Cannon]

Thanks Travis for the challenging question from Scripture. I always love to ponder over difficult passages. Also thanks for checking out my blog. It's always good to know that someone benefits from what is posted. God bless you in your ministry!