1.  YOU AND I ARE MEANT TO BE LIKE SALT
Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth.
These are words of Jesus. Jesus was speaking to His followers as He spoke these words. But what does it mean to be like salt? What effect did Jesus want us to have on those around us? Salt is a very effective substance in our lives and it has some unique properties that make us dependent on it. God has placed within each one of us special properties that are designed to have an effect in the areas that we touch. BUT what is so great about salt? Salt has many very important functions & has many important qualities. There is a great deal of salt on the earth. Just think of the oceans and how much salt they contain. It is said that there is enough salt in the oceans of the world to cover the entire land surface of the earth with 1 meter of salt. Salt is one of the primary components of our lives. Salt enhances the flavour of meat, brings out individuality of vegetables, puts "oomph" into bland starches, deepens the flavour of delicate desserts & develops the flavour of certain fruits. No other seasoning has yet been found that can take the place of salt. The Bible draws a comparison between Christians and salt. God obviously meant for us to understand the effect that salt has because we are meant to have the same effect. What does salt do?

2.  WHAT DOES SALT DO?

SALT SEASONS
One of the primary purposes of salt is to bring flavour. It removes tastelessness and brings flavour. People are looking for flavour in life. Have you heard the phrase: ‘variety is the spice of life�? People are looking for this spice in life. To many people life is tasteless, routine and dull with many bitter pills to swallow.  Food that has no flavour is not enjoyable; in the same way life without flavour is not a pleasure. Jesus came that we may have life and have it more abundantly. Jesus came to give us that life so that we could share it with others.
Matthew 5:13 “You are the world’s seasoning, to make it tolerable. If you lose your flavour, what will happen to the world?

SALT PRESERVES
Salt is a preservative. It makes things last longer. In the early days when the sailing ships had no source of power, meat was preserved with salt. In this way the lifespan of meat could be extended so that the food could last for the duration of the voyage. I have a bucket; it looks a bit like a keg, which was used on ships. It was designed to hold fish that was packed in salt and in this way the fish was preserved. A dash of salt added to the water in a flower vase will keep cut flowers fresh longer. To preserve means to maintain or retain the original quality. This is what God wants us to be. We, as the salt of the earth, preserve this world.

3.  SALT HAS MANY MORE USES

SALT IS USED TO MELT SNOW
In many countries where snow and ice is a problem in winter, salt is used to melt the snow. Canada is a country where salt is used to control the build up of snow and ice. Ice is one of the most dangerous conditions for driving, but once salt has been applied, the road surface is safer to use. When applied to snow or ice, salt lowers the melting point of the mixture. Thus, large amounts are used in northern climates to help clear roads of accumulated snow and ice. Many people have snow and ice in their hearts. Their hearts have accumulated coldness and hardness. If we are going to be like salt we will be able to bring restoration to people with cold hearts.

SALT BRINGS HEALING
Salt has healing properties. It is for this reason that many people go to the Dead Sea, for its therapeutic and healing qualities as a result of the high concentration of salt in the water. We can bring healing and be a source of healing in the situations that we may find ourselves in. We can be a source of healing to those around us. You may have just what the person sitting next to you is looking for.
Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Let's be a source of healing today. This can happen in a simple way as we encourage someone else.

4.  THE IMPORTANCE OF SALT
As we mentioned a little earlier, salt is an important component. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica there are more than 14 000 uses for salt. It is a very effective substance. Salt is used in greater quantities and for more applications than any other mineral. Everyone uses salt, directly and indirectly. It is estimated that Americans each consume more than 16 tons of salt during their lifetimes. That is on average 200x your body weight! If we are ‘alive to God�?then we can also be effective in touching the lives of others. The importance of salt is emphasised by its needs. People need salt to remove the tastelessness of life. People need salt to bring healing to life’s hurts. People need salt to remove rottenness and to preserve them. People need salt to remove the bitter and sad experiences that they have been through. If we are salt, as Jesus said, we are important and play a vital role. Without salt we can expect complaints.
Job 6:5-6 When wild donkeys bray, it is because their grass is gone; a man complains when there is no salt in his food.

5.  CONNECTED TO THE SOURCE OF SALT
Where do we get our saltiness?
Matthew 5:13-16 You are the world’s seasoning, to make it tolerable. You are the world’s light—a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.
As Christians we need to be light and salt wherever we may be.
John 8:12 Later, Jesus said to the people, “I am the Light of the world. So if you follow Me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, for living light will flood your path.�?/EM>
Jesus is our source of light and salt. For us to remain effective we must stay connected to this source.

6.  STAYING SALTY
As we stay connected to the source we can retain our saltiness or our effectiveness. If we lose that connection we become useless. Salt that has no saltiness has no value.
Matthew 5:13 If you lose your flavor, what will happen to the world? And you yourselves will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
Mark 9:50 “Good salt is worthless if it loses its saltiness; it can’t do anything. So don’t lose your flavour! Live in peace with each other.�?BR>Luke 14:34-35 What good is salt that has lost its saltiness? Flavourless salt is fit for nothing �?not even for fertilizer. It is worthless and must be thrown out.

7.  SALT AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
This is a very important aspect. There is a peculiar quality about salt. Salt is a hygroscopic substance. What that means is that it attracts water. Have you ever seen what happens to salt at the coast? Water is a picture of the Holy Spirit. Our lives need to be the same. The way we live should attract the Holy Spirit and then we can be directed and led by Him. That is what makes us, as salt, effective.
Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth.

By: Andrew W Roebert