Matthew 5:13-16

Matthew 5:13-16 NIV

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

David Lee Roth of Van Halen tells his audience to "Stay frosty!" This is just another way to say "Be cool". But has anyone ever said to you, "Stay salty"? Jesus follows the opening beattiudes of the Sermon on the Mount with a teaching about good works. His church is salt, providing flavor and preservation.

We use salt to preserve foods like ham or beef jerky. We use salt to bring the flavor out of cooked foods. We add a pinch of salt even to sweets to bring out flavors. Salt is used to melt ice and snow. Salt softens our hard water. Salt is very valuable. In the ancient world Roman soldiers were paid in salt. It's where we get the phrase, "worth his salt".

As a follower of Jesus, are you worth your salt? Jesus paid for you with his own life. He ransomed you from the clutches of sin and death. Now you are His.

1 Corinthians 6:19b-20 NIV

You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Galatians 2:20 NIV

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The price paid for us is unparalleled. The Son of God suffered and died so that we could live free of sin, which separates us from God and leads to death. He rose from the grave having conquered sin in His body, now even victorious over death. He promises those who are faithful to Him to share in His resurrection.

So are you faithful to Him? Are you worth the price paid for your freedom? What are you doing with the freedom the Lord gave you? How are you worth your salt? How does your life shine a light that reveals the love of God?

Today, as we worship the Lord in our various congregations, remember that you are part the body of Christ throughout the earth. You belong to Christ as His bondservant. You are connected to the many members of the body through the Spirit of Christ. Our life together is meant to be a beacon to the hopeless and the hurting, the lost and the soul hungry. The church of Jesus should bring delightful flavor to life, not leave a foul taste. We are to preserve life, keeping it from decay through obedience to Christ. Love fulfills the law of God. Love completes God's mission. God is building a kingdom of Love ruled by Christ over His devoted subjects. You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Let others see. Love them. Serve them. Let them see your good works, so that they praise God.

Stay salty.