You are the salt of the earth!

Matthew 5:13: "The Salt of the Earth" T

Salt. It is one of the most important compounds in man's existence. Without salt the human body would cease to function. Without salt most foods would lose most of their savour.
In the ancient world covenants or treaties were usually ratified by the exchange of salt. The salt symbolized the endurance and faithfulness both partners would show to the covenant.

Salt was also the basis of much trade and commerce. Areas that were rich in salt traded this compound for gold, silver, and fine cloth. For ancient governments salt was an important source of tax revenue. In Tibet, Ethiopia, and other parts of Africa, salt cakes were used as money. In the Roman army a soldier's pay included an allowance of salt. The English word "salary" reflects this; it comes from the Roman word "solarium" which means "allowance of salt".

Salt, then, was a very important commodity in the ancient world.

Long before freezers and fridges were invented and long before people were able to put meats, fruits, and vegetables into sealed jars, there was only one thing that kept food from spoiling: salt! Only salt kept vast stores of food from rotting. Only salt stood between people and hunger during the winter months or dry season.
In many places in the Middle East land is quite acidic. The only way this land could become productive was by spreading a little bit of salt on it. In this way the salt acted like a fertilizer and promoted life and growth.
However, too much salt can also destroy land. In the ancient world it was the practice of conquering armies to spread large volumes of salt on the agricultural land of a defeated enemy. This would render the land infertile for at least 10 years.
Salt, then, prevents decay and, in small quantities, it acts as a fertilizer. For this reason many ancient people praised their god or gods for the gift of salt.

Christians Are the Salt of the Earth
Jesus identifies his followers as salt. "You are the salt of the earth," says Jesus. "Earth" in this statement means man or humanity.
Everyone listening to Jesus knew salt to be important and valuable. So Jesus was saying his followers are important and valuable people.
Christians are the salt of the earth. This means that in the world of men the followers of Christ have two essential things to do.

The first thing we do as the salt of the earth is hold back or prevent decay. Just as salt in the ancient world was the only thing which prevented food from spoiling or going rotten so the Christian, empowered by the Spirit, is a barrier between the world of men and complete decay, complete rottenness, and complete destruction.
Christians preserve life. The Christian is a preservative that keeps life good and wholesome and beautiful – he or she prevents decay and destruction.

The second thing we do as the salt of the earth is promote life and growth. Through us as salt the world of men can hear the Gospel of grace and salvation. Through us the world, by the operation of the Spirit, can move from darkness, death, and sin to light, life, and peace.

In actual fact it is God who is the salt of the earth. It is God who preserves life and promotes life and growth. What God has done is called us to be like him. He is salt and we are to be salt. We don't turn ourselves into salt; God does. It is God who has chosen us, who makes us, who ordains us, and who equips us to be the salt of the earth. In union with God through Christ his Son, his saltiness must become our saltiness.
What we must do, then, is let God have his way in our life.
We must live and function as the salt of the earth.