Be Salt
Today’s Text: 1 Corinthians 15:58
FOUNDATION

The Bible is the FOUNDATION for life.

In every era, Christians are granted the opportunity to positively influence culture. In a simple and succinct statement that transcends time, our Lord reminds that the priority for people of faith remains unchanged.

Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”

The way forward requires that people of faith function as “salt and light.” Every generation is responsible to be unshakable in the face of cultural pressure to conform to ungodliness. We have the responsibility to unreservedly live as a testimony to the One-true God—regardless of opposition.

Jesus clearly addressed the alternative, “if the salt [Christian community] loses its flavor, how shall it [the earth] be seasoned?” (v. 13). This is an alarming prospect. Individuals who profess Christ—those who by decisive act have placed their faith in the atoning sacrifice of the Son of God—by nature are required to be “salt and light” in the world.

When salt gets mixed with other matter, it becomes adulterated, loses its potency and effectiveness. Christians lose perspective if they neglect the Bible. When they stop reading the Bible, they lack discernment. A lack of discernment has a reciprocal action that negatively effects not just the personal decisions of individuals, but adversely impacts culture.

Ultimately, cultures that turn away from God and the life-principles outlined in His Word do not survive. It’s time for Christians to stop huddling inside the four walls of a church building to talk about what’s wrong with the world and start positively influencing culture.

Paul told the church at Colossae, “whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Col. 3:23). That statement is at the heart of living our faith.

Today, resolve to live as a bold testimony to the power of the One-true God and His redeeming grace. You’ve been given the opportunity to make your life count for eternity. Be salt.

IMAGES:
1) Bible opened to Isaiah. By, Ken Horn, [CC BY 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons – Enhancement: MKM Portfolios
2) Christians are required to be “salt and light” in the world. (illustrative photo salt shaker) (Photo credit: Courtesy Garitzko [Public domain]/Wikimedia/Enhancement: MKM Portfolios)

Copyright © Charles E. McCracken 2016, devotional comments only.  Repost/Reprint with permission from the author.  Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Charles E. McCracken is an international Bible teacher, long-time friend of Israel and advocate for the Jewish people. Rev. McCracken is known for authenticity in communicating biblical truth that makes his presentations relevant for those seeking to understand the significance of Israel and the church in Bible prophecy. He staunchly supports the nation of Israel and the Jewish people’s right to exist and live in peace.

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