The Defining Quality

UV /10,000 The Defining Quality
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Matthew 5 v 13

We learnt while studying Chemistry that salt is actually sodium chloride- a combination of two substances, sodium being a solid and chlorine a gas , that are by themselves poisonous but when combined the poisons are neutralised and it becomes edible and good for consumption. We learnt that salt is crystalline in form. In its natural form, salt is found abundantly in sea water, in rocks and on land. Yet , the Lord who created the Universe, Jesus the Saviour of the world chose to compare those who believed in Him and followed Him to the salt of the earth. The natural evil in us had been neutralised. Knowing the love of God through Jesus, being imparted both wisdom and gifts by the Holy Spirit and understanding the Word of God is what makes us the salt of the world.

Since salt is crystalline in form, it does not mix with dirt, dust and sand. That is why St Paul wrote that we should not be found mixed up in the affairs of the world just as a soldier does not get caught up in civilian affairs. Natural salt needs further processing and refinement in order to make it fit for wide scale consumption. Similarly, each of us needs to be mentored, discipled and refined over a period of our lifetime. Salt is found in lumps- and hence, believers need to be in constant touch and fellowship to encourage each other. Our conversations should be salted with grace, implying that we should not say things that are not truthful or things that hurt others needlessly. We should speak the truth in a spirit of love. Salt has to be mixed in appropriate quantities with food or the food cannot be eaten. Similarly, we must not be too salty or self righteous, judgemental, legalistic or “over spiritual.” Salt preserves and hence, we must be known as preservers of the peace. Salt enhances the taste of food. Our words and our deeds should act to enhance the appetite of people for spiritual food and to enjoy the taste of eternal life. In addition, we add the flavour or the savour of the Saviour to everything we say and do in life. Salt is inexpensive and freely available. So also, freely we have received and freely shall we give. In the world of chemistry, salt is not a proud chemical. Similarly, we too should be humble and meek.
Yet for all the functions of salt, it has one primary and defining quality- it is salty. If it looses this characteristic, it is worthy to be thrown away and trampled upon. Our one defining quality is the love of Christ and the love for Christ. Despite everything else we are and we might do, if we loose this quality, then we become useless to God and man. We need to grow in the agape love of Christ and not decline in this defining characteristic. Without the Saviour, we cannot enjoy the savour of life. Christ in us is the hope of glory in the world to come and the taste of glory in the present world.


Prateep V Philip