purging the rotten

Today I will be talking to myself. I bet you do that sometimes. {smiles} My kids think I am one crazy loon! But today, I will talk to myself to YOU. because I know I am not the only one who may need this little reminder [though I may need it the most!]

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew 5:13

Anymore most people think of salt as an 'additive' or something to avoid, or something to bring flavors to life. But not so long ago, refrigeration was a thing of luxury; and not long before that, it was unheard of. People used salt barrels [among other methods] to preserve certain foods- mostly meats. Pork and beef  take very kindly to salt-curing. It intensifies the flavor and preserves the quality-for a time. 

image source

And salt does this through 2 primary ways:

{1} it pulls moisture out of the meat, thus creating a dryer product. Bacteria usually prefer moist environments to thrive.

{2} it kills bacteria on the surface of the meat. 

[God is so amazing!]

When the salt has given up the properties that make it salt-it no longer works at keeping the meat eatable. It allows rot to begin. And that, friends, is NOT a good thing! [don't ask me how I know].

It also is not useful to anyone- for any purpose- other than to be used as dirt and trodden under foot of men.

And Jesus says WE {Christians} are salt. Not that we are to "try to act like salt." but we ARE salt.
Thus, we should:

{1} be creating an environment around us [be it home, office, carpool, play-groups, Sunday school] where "bacteria" cannot live. We must speak up and LIVE Christ, but not be rude. Christ was never rude. He was vocal about wrong, especially among the religious [money-changers in the temple?], and He never condoned wrong-doing [the Samaritan woman?]. But he also never CONDEMNED those who simply did not know that He was The Christ- their Messiah. He extended love and mercy. But many went back, and walked no more with him. [John 6:66] because it was not comfortable for them. Jesus had given them a hard saying [John 6:43-60]. There will be those who do not wish to be our friend because we ARE SALT. [but we must NOT be rude or condescending. ever!]


{2} kill bacteria on the surface. Those who must be around us [on the job, at a play-date, in school] will learn to be watchful of their mouth or actions around a Christian who is {lovingly and humbly} vocal about right and wrong. I have seen it happen. It does not change their heart, but it does stop certain actions in certain places [around you]. And not just curb their sinful habits, but they may even pick up some good habits. When a lady acts like a lady, men are more likely to be polite and gentlemanly [open the door, offer to carry packages, etc.]. When a Christian acts like a Christian, people around that person will begin to wonder just what it is that makes us behave that way... and with such conviction. And might make them want to be a better person. {What an introduction to the Gospel!}

but when we loose our "saltiness," we are also no longer useful. to anyone.

the unsaved know when a Christian is not acting Christ-like. and it hurts the Cause of Christ. 

and those who are trying to be like Christ, be salt, cannot rely on the unsalty- for prayer, for support, for ministry help, for a good example to our children, for friendship.

So let us KEEP [or get back] our saltiness! Often during the holidays [Thanksgiving through New Years] there are many parties and get-togethers that may bring us into contact with those we may never see again. Will they remember us as "just another in the gang"?

or will they go away thinking: "there was something different about her. no one cursed when she was around." or "men changed their manners around her."

Just a thought.
from my convicted heart.