All through history salt has been used to preserve and season food. It preserves by absorbing water in food that would otherwise let bacteria grow and spoil it. Yet too much salt in the diet can cause blood pressure to rise and lead to other illnesses. Using salt as a teaching device, Matthew CH. 5 records Jesus telling his followers, “You are the salt of the earth.” By this he meant His followers should serve as a preservative in society. They should model integrity, truth, and moral character. God counts on followers of Christ to set the standard for behavior that pleases him and provide a guide to society. When we fail to model integrity, truth, and character, especially as articulated in the Beatitudes, we fail to give society a guide of how to act. Jesus also said in that text, “You are the light of the world.” Light reveals what’s in the darkness. People should be able to look at followers of Christ and know which way to go, to know which alternative to choose. Notice, Jesus did not say we ought to be salt, or we ought to be light, but that we are. This begs the question of whether we, by the way we live, are truly representing Jesus’ Kingdom values of love and justice.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
