I usually think about salt in the context of what I consume, like when my doctor repeatedly “nudges” me to nix using so much of the stuff. But salt isn’t just something we sprinkle on french fries. In the ancient context, it also preserved food, was used in offerings, and was rubbed on newborn babies as an act of purification (Leviticus 2:13; Ezekiel 16:4). With that in mind, salt is a symbol of our unique character as believers in Jesus—that we are set apart, blessed, useful, and holy.
Salt is also an incredibly hardy compound, something that’s difficult to destroy. It has a high melting point, and when smashed it simply creates smaller and smaller grains. But there’s an easy way to get rid of salt—just add water! You can dissolve it in increasing amounts of liquid until the salt is so diluted—its concentration so low—that its effects are negligible.
This reminds me of what can happen when our faith becomes diluted. Faith will often remain intact in the face of terrible hardship because—like salt—it’s designed to be strong, stable, and enduring. But also like the white stuff, the easiest way to get rid of faith is to water it down. We dilute it with worldly priorities and concerns. Nothing serious or criminal, just a little bit of the world and its values absorbed in small quantities. In time, our faith—once strong and potent—can become undetectable. It can be watered down into nonexistence. And that’s why Paul and John are so insistent that our faith and our lives must not become diluted by the world and its values (Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15).
Faith can endure through trials of the worst kind. But if it becomes diluted, what good is it?
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 6:19-34
More:
Read John 15:18-25 to see how Jesus describes our relationship with the world.
Next:
How has your faith carried you through an intense trial? What are some specific ways your faith is in danger of being diluted?
gillian on July 2, 2014 at 3:59 am
Peter, a really inspiring devotional, full of common sense. Certainly, had never thought of salt in all the ways you described before. Very true about the dilution of faith. So often,it seems that there is a re-writing of the Christian message for those who do not want to live according to Biblical standards and to appear more popular and up to date by incorporating current views, lifestyles and values. Why do we need to compromise?
peter chin on July 9, 2014 at 5:45 pm
It’s a difficult balance, to be sure. Of course we want people to be invited into a relationship with God and to understand God’s love, but also be faithful to what it means to live in a way that pleases God. Perhaps we should emphasize more that one of the ways in which we show our love for God is by living according to the values that he has revealed and demonstrated for us!
pjp on July 2, 2014 at 5:23 am
Simply true.
Winn Collier on July 2, 2014 at 3:33 pm
I’ve also recently thought about how simple salt is. It’s mere presence affects everything around it, with so little frill. I like that.
peter chin on July 9, 2014 at 5:46 pm
simple, practical, transformative – these are great words to describe the life of Believers as well!
daisymarygoldr on July 27, 2014 at 2:40 pm
Peter W. Chin, good post! You are right; “Salt is a symbol of our unique character as believers in Jesus”. However, “salt that loses its saltiness is diluted faith” is incorrect. Salt without saltiness refers to believers that lack the unique character.
What is the unique character of Christians? It is the character of Christ described in Matthew 5: 3-10. These qualities of Christ are expressed by believers as a result of Christ in us. This is how the godly lives of Christians add a taste of heaven to earth just as salt lends flavor to food.
Question is: how can Christians lose their unique character as believers? In Matthew 5:11-12) Jesus said when we follow Him, people will mock and persecute us (Matthew 5:11). Why? Godliness is always in conflict with worldliness. After informing us about the dire consequences of following Him, Jesus called us the salt of the earth and said if salt loses its saltiness it cannot be made salty again.
So, salt-less salt symbolizes characterless Christians who are not Christ-like in adverse conditions. Everyone who seeks to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12) and we must continue to reflect the Christ to the world. For, just as salt with no saltiness is useless, those who lose their Christian testimony are good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
Persecution is not just imprisonment but includes hardships involving our health, finances, etc. that all Christians will suffer because of choosing to follow Christ. Jesus tells us to retain our saltiness i.e. Christ-likeness and “endure till the end” (Mark 13:13). This is how as the salt of the earth we will be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ, so people may taste the goodness of God and glorify our father in heaven.
peter chin on July 29, 2014 at 11:59 am
Thank you for this comment! Actually, I wasn’t trying to say that saltless salt is the same as diluted faith, but rather that diluting our faith is the dominant means by which we lose our saltiness as Christ followers. So rather than being equivalent, one is the means to the other. But I do agree that one aspect of our saltiness as Christians is our ability to withstand adversity and suffering, as Christ himself did – thanks for that!