What Kind Of Salt Of The Earth Are You

You are salt of the earth…
(Matthew 5:13; Mark 9:49; Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34)

Two weeks ago I heard a preacher made the comment that Christians are ‘salt of the earth but that we were different kinds of salt’. For some reason the way the statement came across, set me thinking up this lighthearted view of the metaphor of salt in the Bible.

So there is salt and there is salt. I never even knew there were so many different kinds of salts until I started writing this post. Biblical scholars have long concluded that there is no mystery to the texts mentioned above. Salt is not just being used for its capacity to change taste, but moreso for its ability to serve as a preservative.

But what if we take this metaphor a bit further to look at different kinds of salt, and apply the types to Christian character. What type of salt would you be?

Three Types Of Salt

The Different Types Of Salt

Salts That Preserve
Sodium Nitrate or Chile Saltpeter is salt used as a preservative. It helps keeps things the way they are and prevent early decomposition. Sure we want some of that, just not too much.

Some Christians are like the Sodium Nitrate of the church. They preserve the traditions. When too many are around though not even the Holy Spirit is allowed to change anything! Nevertheless, we need them to keep out some of the corrupting influence of all kinds of new ideas that are not held up to the scrutiny of sound theological reflection.

Salts That Purge
Epsom Salt and Glauber Salts These are purgatives and are used for cleansing for the removal of toxic waste from the body. If used incorrectly they can lead to serious dehydration.

Christians are not strangers to the effective power of cleansing. Some of us have to act like this and purge the body of Christ of the bad feelings, the ill-will, the poisonous and toxic emotions and thoughts that we hold against our sisters and brothers in the body of Christ.

Salts That Soothe
Bath Salts which include the same Epsom slat mentioned previously are used to soothe, and calm and again to remove toxins from the body. When you soak in these salts they make you feel so relaxed.

Some Christians are like this. They have the gift of hospitality that cause you to relax in their presence. You feel so tranquil that you could simply fall asleep.

These are the gentle souls in church who know how to soothe. When feathers are ruffled and feelings hurt, they are the ones who encourage others not to walk out or give up a position but to forgive and try again.

Add to taste...

Salts For Taste
Table Salt What a variety of table salts that are out there. Table salts are used to add flavour to the food. However, too much of can cause said food to be inedible. Too much of it sends up your blood pressure and too little makes the food tastes awful (at least once you get accustomed to the taste).

You need to have the right balance.

These are the Christians who add flavour to every event. They know how to turn a church program into something special. We couldn’t do it without them. Sometimes they go overboard and manage to turn worship into a circus. Yet, without their touch, you do see why everyone is falling asleep don’t you?

Sea Salt is also used as Table salt and this too adds flavour without being such a threat to one’s blood pressure. I came across a site that lists 15 kinds of sea salts! There is even Smoked Sea Salt, Kosher salt, and the list goes on!

All sea salts are promoted as being more beneficial without the artificial additives used in the refining process. These are lauded as the genuine thing, some even organic. We get a hint of the kind of purity Christians strive after. No artificial additives, just natural goodness and value to the earth.

There are so many other kinds of salts that could make this list go on forever. However, I think you got the picture.

So join the fun and share what kind of salt you think you are or want to be within the church community?

Marvia

Other views on salt and Christian character:
Jack Wellman
Roy Lessin