Add Some Salt

Jesus used the analogy of salt to show how we should live our lives as His followers. He gives us an example from everyday life so we can have a pattern to follow. There is nothing like a good example to help us learn.

1. Read our main text for today Romans 12:18. Write this verse in your own words. How are we supposed to live at peace with others? What exactly does this mean to a follower of Christ?

2. Read Mark 9:50. What does Jesus say about salt? What are we supposed to have in ourselves and how should we live in regards to other people?

Here are three qualities of salt:

A little salt sets the flavor in food.

When you place a turkey in a bag of brine (saltwater) and leave it overnight, the meat tenderizes and the flavor of the salt sets in the meat. It naturally reaches a level of just enough saltiness to enhance the turkey and not overpower it.

Our conduct as Believers in Jesus should help tenderize the hearts of those we encounter. I don’t mean buttering someone up or being syrupy sweet. Being salt means to “brine” (tenderize)  hardened hearts towards God. In other words, by our living consistent Christ-honoring lives, over time people can see what it means to live for Christ. We are an example of who Jesus is and hopefully our actions begin to soften harden hearts. The “flavor” of our lives is not overbearing but enhances other’s opinion of Jesus.

 Salt is a preservative. 

In Jesus day, salt wasn’t as easy to come by as it is today. It was often used as currency in trade because it was so valuable. One benefit salt was to preserve  meats so they wouldn’t spoil.

The lives of those who don’t know Jesus need the preservative of spiritual salt to allow them the promise of eternal life. We share the Good News of Jesus to show others the benefit of giving their hearts and minds to Christ. He offers the only means to live in relationship with God by mending the spoiled nature of our worldly life and preserving it for eternity.

Salt has healing properties.

Salt was also used to clean and purify wounds. It’s scouring properties were used to get rid of dirt, stains and rust as well.

Our lives should bring the spiritual healing found in knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior. He came into the world to bring the source of healing to our sin-pocked hearts making us right with God. We give healing in sharing the Hope of God ~ Jesus.

3. Read 2 Corinthians 13:11. The Apostle Paul left instructions in his closing to the Corinthian Church. What does he say to do? What is the result of doing these things?

First, we are to “aim at perfection.” The Greek word for this is “katartizo” which means to “perfect, finish, complete.” It is a goal we aim for in our lifetime. Christ is our model and we seek to be like Him. We  will reach this goal when He finally takes us home to heaven. It’s a lifetime process.

Secondly, “be of one mind.” This means not living a two-faced lifestyle. We must be consistent in our behavior. We shouldn’t be one person on Sundays and another throughout the week. We must live authentically. By doing this we show the world who Jesus is. We will face conflict, but to live at peace we must live consistently as Jesus commands us. The benefit  from living this way is having “the peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) in our lives. Our lives are examples to others. They see the peace Christ brings in your life, often noting there is something different about you.

5. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13. In his letter to the Church in Thessalonica, Paul asks them to respect a certain group of people. Who are they? Why should we do this? How are we supposed to live?

“R-E-S-P-E-C-T  that’s how easy love should be...” goes the song sung by Aretha Franklin. It is actually wise counsel. (Not the whole song but this line....lol) To love someone properly means we show respect. This particular verse in Thessalonians teaches us to show respect to our pastors and leaders in the church. When they work hard for Jesus and not for themselves, we should show them respect.  There are so many complaints from parishioners every week that it must get discouraging. This often causes a trickle-down effect to the church as a whole and causes grief and disunity. We should be encouraging, NOT discouraging.

Not only should we show respect to our pastors but we should show respect to others. This automatically bring a sense of peace.

6. Read Ephesians 4:30-32. What should we rid ourselves of? Why?

7. Read Ephesians 5:15-16. What are we to be careful about? Why?

8. Read Ephesians 5:21. Why should we “submit to one another?”

In this consumer-driven world we  have been conditioned to look out for #1, ourselves. The Bible teaches just the opposite. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29) As Christians we need to put-off this selfishness and check our words before we utter them. This brings peace from God. We receive God’s gift of peace and those around us benefit as well.

9. What benefits do you see as a result of “living at peace with others”? How are you doing in this area of life as a Christian?

We are valuable to Jesus. He thinks so highly of us and loves us so much that He has passed on the responsibility of representing Him to a dying world. We aren’t left to do this on our own. He provides the ability to be “salt and light.” Living as Christ brings His peace. Are you ready and willing to lay your life down in obedience to His commands?

Close your time of study in prayer, submitting yourself to Jesus. Ask Him what He desires for you to do? Ask Him to fill you with the power to live as He does through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit.

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, 

and at the right time,

 He will lift you up in honor.” 

1 Peter 5:6