Matthew 5:13
“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 underfoot by people.”
The phrase “salt of the earth” is a term used in our culture describing those of good character, good neighbors. These may be christians, but they may not be. Jesus is referring to believers. This is quite a complement. Salt makes food tastes better. It’s more interesting. Believers have that effect on the world.
The prior passage dealt with persecution. Jesus said that those that were persecuted for His sake were blessed. That’s because those were sharing the gospel and the audience wasn’t receptive. They responded with hostility. That’s a salty situation.
Salt has other purposes in the ancient world. It was an antiseptic. Putting salt in a wound would sterilize it. However it was painful. That pain may be why people persecute christians.
A hostile response may be why christians stop sharing Christ. This is what Jesus was talking about. If we stop sharing Christ, the salt has lost its savor.
We have to share the gospel. There’s a compulsion. We have the antidote of sin’s disease. It’s cruel not to share it.
We have different personalities, so we share differently. I’m more reserved, so I share it more quietly. I’ve got a friend that’s quite bold. He has the gift of evangelism. He is always in conversation about Christ.
As we walk with Christ, the Holy Spirit is in us, filling us, comforting us and so on. It’s such a blessing. It’s hard not to share. Granted there are uncomfortable times. Sometimes I fail, other times it’s not appropriate.
We aren’t to share with some. They aren’t open. They would mock. Jesus warned about these. He said not to cast pearls before swine. I didn’t have this filter as a young christian. I can recall sharing and the person had no interest. So, I tried to sweeten the pot. I was lowering the price. That was wrong. I shouldn’t have shared.
The Holy Spirit blesses us when we share. Immediately we feel His joy. We also receive the blessed fruit of a new convert. In a sense we are giving. We can’t out give God. He will bless in all areas. Paul asks for boldness in Ephesians 6:19, “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel.” We should do the same. Lord, “help me to share Your Word with boldness.”