If we’ve been a Christian for, let’s say, at least five years, one of the phrases that we must be familiar with is “salt of the earth.” Perhaps so much so that we have come to take its profound meaning for granted by limiting it to an understanding of “Oh, I’m a Christian, therefore, I am the salt of the earth.” But is that really the case? Are the two automatically synonymous?

What does salt do? I’m sure you could recite its many uses from the myriad of sermons and bible studies you’ve heard and been to: 

• It adds flavor to food.
• It preserves food especially during the time of Jesus where there was no refrigerator.
• It whitens clothes.
• It melts ice.
• It heals and cleanses wounds.

 And then comes the perfunctory application of making a difference in our home, workplace, school, community, and the world. Amen. Now don’t get me wrong. I am not being irreverent. Yes, we need to make a difference but before we can do what salt does, we must BE salt. After all, Jesus said, “You ARE the salt of the earth,” not “You go salt the earth.” It’s a state of being, not acting. We can only act on who we are. Sugar can never be salt. Only salt can be salt.

So the natural question is: Are we? 

• A professing Christian is not automatically the salt of the earth.
• A person who goes to church (no matter how regularly) is not automatically the salt of the earth.
• A person who gives (no matter how large and faithfully) is not automatically the salt of the earth.

So who is?

Jesus made the salt declaration in Matthew 5:13. But retreat a few verses back and you will find the answer. The salt of the earth is the one who is poor in spirit, who mourns, is meek, hungers and thirsts for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, a peacemaker, persecuted because of righteousness, insulted, and is falsely accused of evil because of Jesus. The salt of the earth is the one who rejoices and is glad. In short, the salt of the earth is the one who is living out the beatitudes. 

• We can profess to be Christians but only when it is convenient.
• We can go to church and hunger and thirst not for righteousness, but “to meet our needs.”
• We can give but not be pure in heart as we may want to be recognized for our generosity.

If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed thinking how in the world you can be the beatitudes then you’re off to a good start. Remember how in the WORD you can be. We need to immerse ourselves in God’s Word and let the Spirit take over our willful spirits. We don’t even need to be rich and famous or powerful and influential to be the salt of the earth. Remember: just like in food, we only need a little salt. A dash alone will make all the difference in the world.