Lurecrest Stories

-To the Romans, there was nothing more useful than sun and salt.-

Jesus' statement that his followers were the “light of the world and the salt of the earth” was a jolt to them as well as to the unbelievers. These two characteristics refer to the enriching and the preserving influence of Christ’s children. They speak also to the “witness” we have as believers in the world. There are three things that salt speaks of:
Purity – meat spoils without salt
Preservation – meat is preserved with salt
Flavor – the taste of meat, etc, is enhanced by salt

The Romans used the Sun and sea water to get salt. The Soldiers were often paid in salt…thus, the basis of the word salary. This tells us something of the value of salt and just how shocking Jesus’ words were in his reference to his people. Jesus declares our value. We are to purify this world, preserve this world, and enhance this world.

FOR us, IN us, THROUGH us!
Salt is “fruit”, not “root.” There is something “outside” that produces salt! There is something IN salt and there is something that happens WITH & THROUGH salt.
Salt loses itself in its only purpose: service!

Now, let’s put on our “Gospel Glasses.”

As salt has a root, so we as disciples of Christ have a root, a beginning. Christ is our beginning. We are “produced” by faith in His work FOR us. Our roots are firmly in Christ’s work FOR us. The bible says that Jesus sprang up as a root out of dry ground. Nothing on this earth made a contribution to Christ, the true root! This root produces fruit; this fruit is in our inward response of heart gratitude and our outward response in service for and to others. We are salt to others because we’ve been made salty. Our ONLY purpose is to live lives in loving response unto our Father and bring Him honor and glory. Others are to see our salty lives and give glory to God.

Can you connect the dots? If this world is rotting then it needs salt. If we are salty then we can serve. If not, we will not and can not fulfill our purpose: loving service, loving response.

Christ’s work FOR us and AS us, produces something IN and THROUGH us by the power of the Holy Spirit, that brings glory to God!

Never think that through our service we become salt!! Backwards!!

Until next week,

BE salt and light,
Jerry