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 have often heard people say that they are happy for individuals to have a Christian faith so long as it’s a private matter. For Jesus, it was unthinkable that following Him could be kept private. It can’t be done, because those who live close to God will be fundamentally affected by their faith, and this will inevitably exhibit itself in the way they conduct themselves. Like salt, their influence will have an impact on all those who come into contact with them.
Salt is very different from the foods that it accompanies. It is useful and tasty precisely because it is different. So too as Christians we are encouraged to be different from the society in which we live. Our morality and standards are not shaped by our society but by God, so it should never be a surprise when we stand out from the people around us.
One of the key characteristics of salt is that it is a preservative. With refrigeration, we are hardly aware of this function of salt, but until recent history it was of crucial importance. Jesus calls on His followers to get deeply involved in the life of society in order to uphold high standards.
It is high praise when someone is described as ‘the salt of the earth’, and we should all aim to be precisely that.
Question
In what way are you able to be salt in your community?
Prayer
Lord God, help me to live so close to You that Your loving, gracious influence touches those around me. Amen

Released on 28 Oct 2026