saltandlight

Some of you know that I usually do a lot of canning this time of year. I haven’t been able to do as much lately because of my finger infection and surgery. But years ago, one of the first things I learned to can was green beans. I was so proud of myself for learning how! Plus, green beans were one of the few vegetables my husband and children actually liked.

One batch of green beans however did not turn out. We found out the hard way! By opening a jar a few weeks later! They smelled awful. I couldn’t imagine what went wrong. I thought I had done everything right. But then it dawned on me. I left out the salt! That had to be it!

Salt is a natural preservative when canning vegetables, and it’s amazing what a difference it makes.

That little mishap reminded me of a powerful verse and partly the inspiration behind this blog’s name:

“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

Much like those green beans, once salt loses its purpose, it’s no good.

We must be the “salt” of the earth. What does that even mean? Well the same way salt preserves food, we are to preserve what is godly in this fallen world. We as Christians are to stand for Jesus and preserve His holiness as much as possible. Preserve the Word of God by standing up for it, when the world wants to ignore or reject it.

Salt not only preserves, but it adds flavor to food. Just the right amount of salt added to a dish can make it taste so much better! We as Christians can be the same with the way we show the love of Christ in this world. Rather than acting like the ugliness of the world, we are to add the “flavor” of Christ by showing His love. When others are angry or bitter, we can bring gentleness and grace.

I realize how easy it is to take our anger and aggravations out on others. Especially when we have had a bad or busy day. I believe we have all been guilty of this at one time or another. But we are called to strive to be better, as believers in Christ.

Now that people are spending more and more of their time on social media, we have to be extra careful as Christians that we are showing the love of Christ and adding just the right amount of “flavor”. Just because someone lives differently than you or voted differently than you, does not give you the right to be ungodly towards them. How does that bring them closer to God? And isn’t that the ultimate goal?

What we want to do is to speak truth in love. You can speak biblical truth in a loving Christian way. The truth still may offend people, it offended people back when Jesus was doing it. But we must follow His example in the manner in which He handled it. If you handle it the way that He did, you will make more of an impact than you ever could by being ungodly.

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Luke 6:35

It’s hard to respond kindly to people who are coming against us, I know! But seeking His help with this and dying to ourselves each day makes this possible. Every day surrender yourself to His will and pray for His guidance. It truly helps! I challenge you to try it if you don’t believe me! But you have to try it with a willing heart. And watch how God works in your life!

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Blessings,

~ Cheryl