GOOD FOR NOTHING 

”Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, 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 5:13

GOOD FOR NOTHING CHRISTIANS

I’ve often made this comment while preaching, “As pastor, I get paid to be good, but you folks are good for nothing!” Now of course I’m just kidding around when I say that. And it usually brings smiles to a few sad faces when I make that statement.

But in our verse for today, Jesus was not kidding around! He said to His disciples, and to every believer today, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt loses its savor (its saltiness), it is ’good for nothing’ but to be cast out . . . ” Those are shocking words coming from the Savior! Those are  Jesus’ words, not mine! It is tragic, but very possible, a Christian can become good for nothing! Now let me be clear, Jesus was not implying that God could ever stop loving us or give up on us as His children. But He is saying we can lose our testimony and our impact upon the lost world around us. How? If as “the salt of the earth”, we lose our saltiness. Think about it . . .

CHRISTIANS ARE LIKE SALT

Again, Jesus said to His disciples, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” Why does Jesus compare our lives to salt?

1. Salt provides seasoning. Just as salt brings out the flavor of food, we as Christians are to bring flavor to our homes, our schools, our jobs, our neighborhoods, and our communities.  Everywhere we go, the sweet aroma of Jesus is to be surrounding our lives and impacting those with whom we come in contact (see 2 Corinthians 2:14).

2. Salt provides healing. The sterilizing properties of salt make it valuable as a medicine.  Wounds can heal more quickly with the addition of salt.  But, as we all know, salt burns in a wound.  It hurts as it heals.  We too are to bring healing to a sick, sin-filled world as we speak the truth in love.  No doubt, the truth will burn and sting, but conviction is necessary for true spiritual healing to take place. Notice that Jesus calls us to be salt, not honey.  Honey is wonderful and sweet. I love honey! But honey cannot bring the healing that salt does.

3. Salt preserves against corruption. This was salt’s most important function in New Testament times and before there was refrigeration. Meat and fish would be packed in salt to ward off corruption. In much the same way, the presence of a Christian in any arena of life should make a huge difference in that place. Remember, God would not have destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities of the plains had he found ten righteous persons living there. Just “ten grains” of salt would have preserved thousands of lives.
4. Salt can get contaminated. While sodium chloride (salt) is a virtually indestructible compound that does not lose its saltiness, it can get polluted by other substances like dirt and sand. In Israel, the salt came from the Dead Sea. It was not refined. Minerals like gypsum and sand could easily mix with the salt crystals, diluting it and causing it to be much less salty. Contaminated salt could not fulfill its purpose. It was good for nothing and useful to no one. 
   

Many times people would have to throw it out on the road. 

As salt, Christians must guard against defilement and contamination from the world.  If we love the world, “the love of the Father is not in us” (1 John 2:15).  If we do not “come out from their midst and be separate” (2 Corinthians 6:17), we will lose our ability to season, heal, and preserve. We become like a bottle of coke that’s lost its fizz . . . ”good for nothing” but to be poured down the drain. 

THE NEED OF THE HOUR

Our world desperately needs to taste some salty Christians—people who hold fast to the Lord and His Word and live in the power of the Holy Spirit [1].  Interestingly, Paul tells us before the coming of the Lord there will be a falling away from the faith [2] (2 Thessalonians 2:3). The salt will lose its savor and its effectiveness. When the salt becomes tasteless, destruction is not far behind. Jesus said when He returns, the world will be as corrupt as it was in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37) and the days of Lot (Luke 17:28).

So . . . will you stand up and be counted? Will you ask the Lord to remove any pollution from your life so you can fulfill your purpose of being His salty witness to a lost and dying world? The time is NOW for Christians to get serious about being pure and undefiled salt!  If not, corruption will run rampant on planet earth until God has had enough. Remember, a little salt goes a long way as ten righteous people could have preserved Sodom, and Gomorrah. May we see the special role we have in the Lord’s plan. Let this wonderful Word from God sink down deep into your hearts! Jesus said, “Ye are THE salt of the earth.” Don’t compromise and become a GOOD FOR NOTHING CHRISTIAN! 

Think it over . . .

Doug Pierce is a Church planter and a pastor. In 2003 he started, and continues to pastor First Independent Methodist Church in Madison, Mississippi. His #1 priority is to glorify God in all aspects of ministry. He does this through teaching his congregation to Love God, Love One Another, and Love Others to God. Prayer, outreach, and church growth through evangelism are vital parts of his ministry. He and his wife Suzanne live in Madison, Mississippi where they also enjoy their children and grandchildren. To find out more about Doug‘s ministry visit the FIMC Website.

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