Matthew (vs 5:13)
Sermon preached at Gospel Light Christian Church, Singapore
by Deacon Dr Jason Lim
on 27 Feb 2005
Intro: The Sermon on the Mount is foundational to Christian living. Having established the character of a Christian (Person) in the Beatitudes, Christ now shows the Power of that person’s influence in this dark and dying world. A child of God is not to live in seclusion or to hide from the world. He has a responsibility to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt is precious, yet simple and humble. What does it mean then, that we are to be the salt of the earth?
a) Preserves
In the warm climate of the Middle East, salt is widely used to preserve food from rotting (even used in mummification!). The world we live in is like decomposing meat too, despite the advances of technology (2Tim 3:1-4) (insert: Poem). As our Lord spoke these words, He probably had in mind the days of old (Gen 6:12,13), the days of religious corruption during His time, and the days to come (Mat 24:37-39). We live in a world of moral decay, and the world needs salt- Spirit-filled Christians with Christ-like lives, values and principles.
b) Purifies
Salt in the Bible also speaks of cleansing or healing (2Ki 2:19-22). Christians are not only to preserve, but also to purify with the message of the Gospel and the Word (Eph 5:26). There are people around us who need to be delivered from both the penalty and the power of sins.
c) Pleases
We all love food with salt (Job 6:6, Col 4:6), and Christians are thus to be pleasing people. We are not to be grouchy, boring, depressing, irritating, or unpleasant people. We are to watch our conversation and our conduct before the world (Jas 3:5,6)
d) Provokes
Salt causes thirst, and it reminds us of how we are to have such a different and magnetic testimony to draw others to Christ.
e) Pains
Salt stings! It’s not sugar. The message of the Bible hurts the human pride. Thus, Christians should be having the boldness of the Spirit to preach against man’s sins like the Fathers of old- Peter, Stephen and Paul.
“ye” Christ didn’t speak to scribes, Pharisees or Sadducees. His audience was the unlearned and despised fishermen of Galilee (1Cor 1:26-29). It is not the “mighty” or “wise” that God often chooses.
Not only that, He said “ye alone” are the salt of the earth (in the original Greek). Hope for this decaying world comes not from social, political or charitable groups. Christ has left us to complete His work on earth (Joh 14:12). What a privilege it is.
He said “ye are”, not “ye will be”. He has already gifted us in many ways to do His work- Salvation, Sword, the Spirit and our Spheres of influence. We are not to hide behind lame excuses.
He said “ye are”, that is “ye all are”. It reminds us of how we are to work together as a body in Christ, to advance God’s kingdom (1Cor 12:18-27).
Salt can lose its savour. This refers to sea salt, or the impure salt available in those times. True sodium chloride leaches out of the rock of sea salt, and soon, the whole compound is not salty anymore. It has ceased to be different. What a picture it is of Christians, who allow the influences of this world to conform them (Rom 12:1, 1Joh 2:15,16, Heb 10:24,25).
The Greek word translated “lose his savour” in English is also used 4 other times in the NT- Mar 9:50, Luk 14:34, Rom 1:22, 1Cor 1:20, and each time it denotes foolishness. Thus, when we slip into folly and allow the world to come into us, we cease to be distinct and can not fulfill our responsibility anymore. We are therefore good for nothing, cast out and despised.
The term “trodden under foot of men” speaks of the “salt” that has lost its savour, now being cast onto the slippery temple court marble floor during the winter rains.
Conclusion: No matter where and who you are, realize your Purpose, rejoice in your Privilege and refuse the Pitfall, for ye are to be the salt of the earth indeed.