In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus used the metaphors salt and light to reveal the nature of what His followers were to be.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)

The Salt of the Earth

To fully understand why Jesus used salt as an example of what his followers should be, we must consider salt’s purpose during New Testament times.

The major emphasis of Jesus’ brief description focuses on the property of salt called “savor” or, as the NIV puts it, “saltiness.” Savor is essentially salt’s capacity to act on or affect something else.

In New Testament times, salt was not merely something added to food to improve the taste. It had three other essential uses:

1. Salt is a preservative. People in those times had no refrigeration and almost all food was perishable. Salt was used to preserve food.
2. Salt stimulates thirst.
3. Salt enhances what it serves.

As salt affects whatever it serves, Christians are to affect the world around us.

Today our culture has deteriorated socially, and we have become morally corrupt. Crime is rising. Drug addiction is rising. Marriage and human life are no longer regarded as sacred and holy. Sexual perversion is to the likes that I have never seen, and society can’t seem to distinguish between male and female or right and wrong.

We need a spiritual revival to sweep over the United States of America and to renew the church because that is the only thing to have a powerful social impact on our culture. We need bold and passionate messengers of The Gospel.

God’s people should be a moral preservative in their culture. As salt affects that with which it comes in contact, Christians should influence nonbelievers in our neighborhoods or workplaces. Our presence should stimulate a spiritual desire for God and a hunger for truth and righteousness.

While Christians are not of the world, we are to be active in the world, making a difference in the lives of those around us.