Can Salt Lose Its Saltiness?

On multiple occasions I’ve worked with Science teachers to clean and organize their storage closet.  Undoubtedly, there are old chemicals to set aside.  A common rule of thumb is that ionic compounds, salts, do not go bad.  Containers of sodium chloride and the like are good indefinitely.  When I read Matthew 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”  I knew this was figurative language, but I also wondered if salt could actually lose its saltiness. According to the Morton Salt expiration guide, it is recommended that salt, table salt be used within 5 years of purchase.  Why, because it “contains anti-caking additives – however clumping may occur as this ingredient can lose effectiveness over time.”  Literally and figuratively speaking, salt can lose it's saltiness!

In Matthew 5:13 Jesus says those who follow Him are the salt of the Earth.  He doesn’t say we will become salt in Heaven, He says we are the salt now.  Would you agree, a little salt goes a long way?  I have a recipe for a cream cheese pound cake that calls for a “pinch of salt.”  I once made it and forgot the salt.  The cake was ruined - not exactly, but it was terribly bland.  Now when I make it, I am SURE to remember that pinch of salt.  The 3 cups of sugar are nothing against that pinch of salt! 

If we are blessed to live a long life on Earth, we will undoubtedly face difficult situations.  We will meet people of different backgrounds and beliefs.  We will be challenged to make difficult choices - we can choose to be in agreement with the culture or we can be in agreement with the Word of God.  “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”  (Mat 6:24)  

In His Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5, Jesus explained the characters of those whose destiny is Heaven.  ⇼The poor in spirit are those who recognize the need for God’s direction.  ⇼Those who mourn are not those who mourn the death of a loved one.  He is speaking of those who mourn their sin because they realize that sin is an offense against God.  ⇼The meek are those who submit to the Word of God forsaking man and cultural standards.  ⇼Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness desire only to please God.  ⇼Those who are merciful are quick to forgive and show compassion to others.  ⇼Those who are pure in heart not only do the right things, but think the right thoughts - they will spend eternity in Heaven.  It’s easy to discipline oneself to exhibit certain outward behaviors, but remember God knows our motives, He knows our reasoning.  The pure in heart do the right thing for the right reason.  ⇼Peacemakers will be destined for Heaven.  On Earth, they don’t seek their own good, but the good of others, they show mercy, and they both forgive and forget.  ⇼Jesus says blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness.  We can face earthly penalties for our obedience to God.  We may lose friends, we may not be invited to gatherings, we may face hatred or violence, but we must rest assured that our reward is in Heaven.  

These characters are how we should be salt.  A little salt is a potent thing.  You may be the only person in your workplace who is a follower of Christ.  There may not be another person in the classroom who has the character of Christ.  You may be the only person in your bookclub, or on your street, or in Walmart at the moment who knows Jesus Christ and can choose to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Mat. 6:20)  Choose wisely.  

Galatians 6:9 advises, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  I think this is what Jesus is referring to when he spoke of the salt losing its saltiness.  Doing good; choosing righteousness time and time again; loving the people who persecute us for our obedience to God; forgiving folks who repeatedly try to do us harm.  We can definitely become weary, but we must not stop obeying the Word of God.  When we feel we are about to succumb, or about to lose our saltiness...it’s a signal to pray.  How can we become salty again? We must pull out our Bible and read, then we must pray some more.  Do not lose your saltiness.  For if you do, you are worth nothing except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.  “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)  

As you begin this first week of November, I will leave you with these words of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)​

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AMEN!  Thank you for reading!  Your comments are always welcome and encouraging to me.  I don’t always reply, but I always read them.  They definitely help to keep this weekly message being produced.  I don’t want to lose my saltiness either!  Amen. 
Kim ​