In his book Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions, George Barna reveals this interesting research statistic: Children are eight times more likely to accept Jesus as their Savior than teenagers and adults.
Barna’s findings are important. Along with the practical implication of needing to present God’s truth to the young, it made me wonder if we shouldn’t take a step back and consider why there’s such a significant drop in the percentage of teenagers and adults coming to faith in Christ. Obviously, the fact that they’re not as open-minded as children is a big part of the reason. Still, I’m wondering if the drop-off isn’t partly due to a misunderstanding of what it means to be the “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13).
Salt has many uses. But what did Jesus have in mind? The Christian circles I grew up in interpreted salt to be a preservative. From this I was taught that our role is to be the moral police force and preserve morality in our culture. But if you listen to Jesus’ own words, it’s plain to see that He meant something entirely different—“But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?” (Matthew 5:13).
To be salty, as Jesus intended, is to add flavor. It is about enhancing taste, leaving others wanting more. God may call some of us to speak against immorality in terms of the harm it causes others. But I wonder how many of us wag our fingers at the depravity of our world to such a harsh degree that it keeps us from lifting up what life with Jesus has to offer in its place?
Jesus, free us to offer a tasty sampling of Your real life that will leave teens and adults wanting more of all that is found in You.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 5:31-48
More:
How did Jesus describe the life found in Him in John 10:10?
Next:
What are some tangible ways you can live a more “salty” life? How will you flavor your relationships with God’s reality today?
daisymarygoldr on June 30, 2011 at 3:18 am
Teenagers or adults, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:3). Child-like faith does not question but simply trusts and obeys God to humbly believe in Him.
All those teenagers and adults, who believe and obey God, are the salt of the earth. In the Bible salt speaks of a loyal, permanent, and pure relationship with God. I agree, to be salty is to add flavor. We must have the qualities of salt among ourselves (Mark 9:50). And the qualities of salt are all listed in Matthew 5.
Only when our lives contain the savor of the beatitudes, we the teenagers and adults can be a seasoning effect of God’s love, grace and mercy to the bland dullness of other teenage and adult lives. You are right we must not wag our fingers at the depravity of our world because they do not know the truth. We should lift up life and let Christ the salt in our lives, season and add flavor to their lives as well.
lindagma on June 30, 2011 at 6:22 am
Correcting sin is the job of the Father. Loving them and meeting their needs is ours. If we show them the joy of belonging to Him…if we show them God’s love, they are much more open to the truth.
winn collier on June 30, 2011 at 9:47 am
flavors and sweet aromas, both ways Scripture speaks of the aesthetic of the gospel. Enticing. Beautiful. Inviting. Tasteful. Such beautiful experiences. I want more of that, want to be more of that.
Jeff Olson on June 30, 2011 at 10:35 am
Me too, Winn…me too!