“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.” — Matthew 5:13
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High school scrimmages and regular-season games typically pick back up in August. As players get back in the rhythm of their sport, it isn’t uncommon for them get cramps as they train. We’ve seen players lying on the field in pain until they get some electrolytes — essentially salt minerals — in them. In extreme cases, players are given IV fluids if they have major dehydration issues. Staying on the field for peak performance is so important to players at every level, so coaches and trainers constantly remind players to hydrate properly.
For players as well as fans, salt is an important part of our diet. Salt can give enhanced flavor to our food, and it is actually good for our health as long as we don’t take in too much of it. Food was preserved with salt for centuries before refrigerators were invented. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus used salt and several other familiar items to emphasize the importance of Christians being a good example in our community. “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 (Matthew 5:13).
Even though Jesus is the only person who always was a good model for living, we should set Godly standards and try to live according to them.
In the midst of His long series of teachings about daily living, Jesus spoke about applying what we believe by backing up our words with consistent actions. If we say we worship God, then we shouldn’t be drawing attention to ourselves (Matthew 6:5-6). In other words, our private prayers are more important than our public prayers because prayer is communication with God and should not be used to impress people.
Jesus also spoke about genuine, lasting love for our fellow human beings by challenging us to love everybody and not just our favorite people. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:43-45).
As Jesus closed His comments on the best way to live, He spoke about building our lives on something solid and reliable for now and eternity. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25). We should take the words of Jesus to heart because everything else is like sinking sand.
As we go about the week ahead, let us remember that we are the salt and light of the world. We have the privilege of showing God’s love to the world — let’s not waste it.
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
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