WORTH YOUR SALT...?

Ye are the salt of the earth;
but if the salt have lost his savor,
wherewith shall ti be salter? It is
thenceforth good for nothing, but
to be trodden under foot of men.
Matthew 5:13

In light of the homegoing of Billy Graham, I've heard and read all sorts of comments with his death. Some have commented on the powerful spiritual influence that has left with him. Others have commented on our country losing its pastor. Some have spoken of the void they feel is present with his homegoing. I guess in those comments and others I've heard I agree with have crossed my mind as well. One person really pinned me down as to what I was feeling about the death of this great man. On the spot, I just commented that a really huge hunk of spiritual salt is gone that would take many to take its place.

Salt has always been a very valued commodity in our culture and cultures that go too far back to even delve into. In past centuries, salt wasn't only used in cooking. With their often out door ovens, a layer of salt would often be spread in the bottom before the firewood and fire. It supposedly caused the heat to circulate better. That salt, of course, after it's use in that way wasn't good for anything. People often rubbed their newborns with salt. Don't know why but that was an initial thing done to a baby. Salt was used for the curing of foods and also used in medicinal ways. As we look at meat offerings in the Old Testament, salt was added to the meat before the offering. We know of salt blocks that are put out in pastures for animals as their systems require salt in their diets.

Salt cannot be totally destroyed but it can be tainted to the point where it isn't usable. There are salt mines where salt is harvested to be used in many ways. However, there are marsh areas where salt can appear on plants and weeds on the shore near water that has a saline mix to it. Such salt isn't for eating because it is tainted, dirty and only to be tossed out. It becomes useless when tainted in any way.

Some have questioned if Jesus really knew what He was saying about salt losing it's savor? First let me say that He created it back in time so He should know something about it. He knew it's uses and knew when it wasn't worth anything in nutrition or for anything else because of circumstances that could soil the salt.

Jesus wasn't talking about salt as much as He was talking about His followers. We aren't salt blocks that can't really be damaged. He was speaking of our usefulness to the kingdom. He was viewing us as being tasty (likable, drawing others to us, useful in ministry). He also knew salt enough to know that it's intake creates thirst. I know how I am after eating a ham dinner or a BLT sandwich. Can't get enough fluid to take care of the thirst. He saw salt as something providing healing depending on the circumstances. So if Jesus sees us in light of salt, as His followers, we have a high standard to fulfill.

The world is thirsty spiritually...and they don't even know for what. However, as they watch you and me, perhaps being the only Christian they know well, our lives will either create answers for them because they are drawn to us or we can be shunned. There is a thirst in our world for spiritual fulfillment and people can't even name what they are seeking. Some are looking for all the “feel good” things....porn, alcohol, drugs (both street and from a doctor), a wild life, possessions, entertainments, etc. You and I hopefully have learned that all of those things are either fleeting or dangerous. People are looking for healing and we know Jesus to be the great physician. So you and I will be watched....we will either have meaning in the lives of others or will lose all respect before those watching us.

Such is where, I believe, Jesus is speaking of those who have become tainted in some way and are no longer of use to the kingdom. They may have enough salvation to get to Heaven, if even that, but not enough to be a salty Christian. The pleasurable things I mentioned may become a part of a Christians life and their influence is for nothing.

From anything I've ever read of Billy Graham, he was highly respected in so many varied areas of life. The best and worst of people he came in contact found him to be a gentleman, respectful but never lowering his standards no matter one's big name or position. He had strict moral standards as did his immediate staff. He was never with a woman alone. He guarded his purity tenaciously. There are those through the years who tried to find “dirt” on Billy but if they though they found something, there were looked at as fools when they were found out. He was honest in his dealings and had character oozing out of his life.

Jesus would never say that Billy Graham had lost his spiritual strength and savor and it was all he did was for God's glory. You and I are not him but God has the same expectations of us and more. He wants us true to our faith with strong testimony's and integrity. So, yes, Billy Graham has gone to heaven and has left a tremendous void. In it we should be encouraged to take up that mantle and live lives that flavor, creates thirst for God, helps heal others with spiritual health needs and in other ways God may lead us to do. May keep not only tainted from the world but clean and usable for Jesus.
 

Thank You Jesus, for this encouragement to be witnesses and testimonies for You. Help us to maintain those standards You have given us in your word. Thank You for Your example and for the examples of those who have gone before us, walking in Your ways. Thank You for all You have done for us. We love You....Amen