Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6
Recently I was sentenced by my doctor to 18 days without any salt in my diet. I discovered it was like working in a salt mine but not being able to have any salt. It was a blessing in disguise however, because it radically opened my eyes to what Jesus was talking about when He called His followers to be the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13)
As Susan and I prepared for the diet, I was dumbfounded to discover that sodium (salt is 40% sodium, 60% chloride) is in practically everything a grocery store has to offer. Every content label seems to have sodium listed on it. Canned goods of course are loaded with it, as are all processed foods. But even packages of luncheon meats and “raw” vegetables have sodium infused in them. I had not even started my diet yet and already I could feel my ribs poking through my skin.
Salt is used primarily for two reasons — to add flavor and as a preservative. Every grocery store and restaurant would have difficulty surviving without it because it makes what they sell tasty –and even more importantly as a preservative it extends the shelf life of their products.
As never before, my diet helped me realize that as sodium extends the life of a perishable, how much more are we, as followers of Jesus, to be the salt of the world to extend the perishable lives of people into imperishable eternity. (1 Corinthians 15:53-54)
Pastor Diane Stores had a great message on Sunday. Her challenge that gripped my heart was a page from Mother Theresa’s book. We may not be able to help everyone, but we can show Jesus’ love to the ones He brings across our path.
Last month we were honored to have Timotheus Bahl, a pastor from India be our house guest and minister at Bridgewood Community Church. Timotheus is a very salty Christian. His passion is to share his faith and the love of Jesus everywhere he goes. During his stay in the US he chose to travel by Greyhound Bus rather than fly because of the many opportunities it afforded him to share the Good News
His strategy is a simple one. He prays for opportunities to share with individuals with whom he comes in contact. And this is an important difference, as he seasons his conversation with grace and salt, he is very sensitive to recognize those individuals who respond to the salt. Those who show a hunger and thirst for what he has to offer, he then engages in further conversation.
In this way Timotheus, like Johnny Appleseed, planted seeds of eternal life everywhere he went, by sharing his testimony, praying for those in need, giving them a gospel pamphlet and/or sharing contact information for follow-up.
When Jesus said “have salt in yourselves and be at peace with each other” he was saying this is something every follower of His can do. (Mark 9:50) We need to put our saltiness on our label and let people know about our salt content. Let them decide if they want what we have to offer. Our saltiness is going to create thirst in people who may not have even thought they were thirsty .
Do you have a salty story to tell?
When I was a young Christian, I was very eager to shake the salt of the gospel on anyone and anywhere. (even if my message wasn’t appreciated) I learned a very important lesson in my earlier years about balance. I came home from being gone the entire summer and wanted to make muffins. The salt and sugar were in similar containers in my mothers cupboard. I inadvertently put two cups of salt in the batter rather than sugar. The muffins came out of the oven looking beautiful, they raised and were golden……but then I took a bite and quickly realized the mistake that I made. A little salt goes a long way but it is so very important to balance your witness/message with the sweetness of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Tom, I’ve been away from your blog for about two weeks. I most say, I like the lay out and graphics. This truly is an upgrade. I may want to ask you for a few pointers on switching over to where you are. That aside, another great post. The wife and I are on a reduced salt intake. It takes some getting used initially, but it’s well worth it. Have A Great Day!
Morris – Thanks for the encouragement on the Webiste – I had some help from Dave Yankowiak who is a web developer specializing in WordPress. You can contact him by clicking on “Anywhere Man” on my Blogroll. Blessings – Tom
Pastor Tom, I find from the time & tunnel you have gone through is to show you & prepare you to emphasize on the importance – the World can not live without Salt.Yet they do survive & live a subsidized life. So how important for the Church to stand out as the Bottle of Salt & can be used to get Life. I pray that BCC may stand out as salt for the communities in MN. In time past US has been as Salt for the World. You are now a prepared vessel for this important issue of His Kingdom.
Mobilize BCC still more. The best is yet ahead.