You probably have no idea how seriously important salt is in the earth.

Wars have been fought over salt.

Back in the day before refrigerators, salt was used to preserve food, and thus move armies.

Battles for the control of salt pitted country against country, including the Union against the Confederacy (The Battle of Saltville I and II).

During Roman times, salt was so valuable soldiers were paid in salt.

That is where the term, “Are you worth your salt?” comes from.

Salt was a form of wealth.

We derive the word “salary” from the word “salt.”

There are a lot of terms born from the importance of salt, but none more so than this description from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Matthew 5:1-15, Jesus sees the multitudes and goes to the mountain top to teach.

We know these teachings as the Beatitudes.

He explained to disciple and commoner alike:

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” (Matthew 5:13)

Jesus uses the illustration of salt not just figuratively, but literally as well.

The Importance of Salt to Your Body

Salt is an important element to your body.

You need it to function properly.

Here is one explanation of how it works:

Salt is one component that sends electrical signals throughout the body. Sodium also causes the body to become thirsty by activating electrolytes. … The water then allows the kidneys to distribute a healthy amount of electrolytes throughout the bloodstream, and this action regulates blood pressure.

The Importance of Salt to the Body of Christ

As a Christian, you bring ‘the salt of Jesus’ to a dying world that thirsts for direction.

We flavor the world.

Don’t be salt that loses its flavor.

We give it a life-sustaining element.

As salt, we can make the world thirst for the Word of God.

When we show the love and grace of Jesus, this salt feeds hope to an undernourished world.

We are the body of Jesus.

We are His bride.

We are His church.

We are His salt.

We are the salt of the Earth.

If salt is wealth, then we, as Christians, are the wealth of Jesus.

We inherited His wealth when He died on the cross for us.

His sacrifice redeemed us, ransomed our lives from sin and brought us back into fellowship with God the Father.

Along With the Salt Comes the Light

In Matthew 5:14-15, Jesus continues teaching the multitude:

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”

Salt and Light: Two Powerful Components of a Christian

Let your light shine and be the salt of the earth.

That is what Jesus asks you to do.

You cannot witness without being salt and light.

You cannot be successful on a missions trip without salt and light.

You cannot even succeed as a Christian without salt and light.

The two elements are intertwined and inseparable.

In This World, Do You Sit ‘Above the Salt’?

This generation may not be privy to the idiom, “Above the Salt.”

Here is the dictionary’s description:

“Of or in a position of high standing, rank, regard, or repute.

“The term is derived from the social hierarchy of nobility in medieval times, in which salt, a precious commodity then, was set in the middle of the dining table.

“Those of high noble rank were seated “above the salt,” that is, closer to the lord and lady of the house, while those in lower social standing were seated “below” it.

Not that we as Christians hold our nose up at the world with our “nobility.”

But it is a fair question to ask.

Are you “above the salt” when it comes to your relationship with Jesus Christ?

Are you seated closer to Him, or farther away from Him at the Lord’s Table?

Make A ‘Covenant of Salt’ Between You and God

The term “covenant of salt” is an agreement or union between two or more parties meant to be binding and long-lasting.

It’s found in 2 Chronicles 13:5:

“Should you not know that the Lord God of Israel gave the dominion over Israel to David forever, to him and his sons, by a covenant of salt?”

Brothers and sisters, let us purpose in our lives to always have this wonderful, life-sustaining “covenant of salt” between us and the Lord Jesus.

And sprinkle your salt and shine your light to a dying world.

Interesting then, this notion of “salt” and “light.”

In some countries, the natural energy of the sun is used to evaporate brine to get salt from sea water.

How awesome then, that the Son of God is the Light that evaporates the sin from the raging waters of our life.

Which leaves us transformed and renewed as His salt of the Earth.

Awesome!