Matthew 5:13 starts off by saying, "You are the salt of the earth..." Most of the time, I just keep on reading. But, for whatever reason, I stopped today. What does it mean to be salt? Merely curious, I looked it up on the Bible Study Tools website.
Apparently, salt is translated as 'halas' in the Greek. It has three main definitions, with one in particular standing out to me. Salt is a preservative, added to many foods to extend their shelf lives and at one time was used to preserve meat. This reminded me of a story in Genesis 18. You see, Abraham's nephew, Lot, was living in Sodom. Sodom was wicked in the eyes of the Lord, and His wrath was about to be unleashed on that city. But Abraham, loving Lot, pleaded with God, "Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be is from you to do such a thing!..." The Lord replies, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake." (see verses 25-26)
You see, God spared Sodom for a time due to Lot's presence. It was Lot's being in Sodom that protected the wicked from being utterly destroyed. If you've noticed, America is becoming a more and more wicked place, much like Sodom was. We too deserve the wrath of God. But, America is still here nonetheless. Reading about Lot and Sodom and my role as a preservative puts a burden in my heart for those around me. God is postponing His wrath; I'm praying for those around me, that they would come to know the Lord while destruction is put off.
Another thought on salt: it is mixed in with food. It's not left in a lump off to the side but rather is incorporated into the whole batch. Do you know what that means? The salt isn't kept together. You and I aren't kept together. This revelation has been most encouraging to me, as many of my close friends have moved pretty far away. But, the Gospel can't spread; disciples can't be made; and the lost can't be preserved if we all stay in a lump.
Be encouraged my friend!
Lauren
