The. Lord Jesus told His disciples, "Ye are the salt of the earth" (Matt. 5:13). Why did our Lord
choose to compare His disciples to salt? What does this mean for us? Let us examine some of the
functions and properties of salt.

First, in the ancient world salt was very valuable. Roman soldiers were allotted a solarium (the
root of our word salary), which was used for purchasing salt. Greek slaves were bought and sold
with salt and a good slave was "worth his salt." Men have traveled great distances and even fought
for what they considered an ample salt supply.

Part of the reason salt is so valuable is that it is essential to life. Salt is needed to maintain the
proper balance of water in the body. If the diet is totally lacking in salt, the person will lose so
much body fluid that he or she will dehydrate and die. Excessive loss of salt through disease or
in extreme heat will lead to collapse and eventually death if the person does not receive proper
treatment. A large intake of salt will make a person thirsty until the proper salt-water balance is
restored in the body.

Christians are valuable in God’s sight. He has bought us with a price. Water is essential for life
and the water of the Word is essential for spiritual life. If we are the salt of the earth, it is our
function to retain the Word of God in our own hearts and to teach it to our children and to other
members of the Body. Our lives_our joy and peace in Christ _should arouse in the unsaved a
great thirst for the Water of .Life.

Second, salt is a preservative. Salting food was one of the few means available in the ancient
world to prevent spoilage. The life of a Christian should help prevent moral decay in his
immediate environment. The Lord Jesus always directed His remarks to the consciences of those
with whom He spoke. Either the person accepted His verdict and repented, or refused to repent
and went away hardened. No one remained complacent in His presence. His perfect life allowed
Him to speak with complete freedom. Are we exhibiting the life of Christ to our associates or is
there little difference between us and the worldly Christian or the unsaved?

Third, salt is a very stable compound. Its melting point is 1472 degrees C and its boiling point is
2624 degrees C. The Christian should be stable and consistent. He should not be easily irritated
or "blown about with every wind of doctrine." Although he will experience trials in his life, his
trust in God as the loving Planner of his life should help him to maintain composure and serenity.

We have seen that salt is essential for life. It is also a very useful compound in many industrial
processes. May all of us be useful Christians bringing the Word of Life to a needy, dying world.