Most lessons on salt from the Bible have to do with its unique ability to flavor, preserve, and create thirst–all qualities Christians should possess for the world around them. But what does salt have to do with the cost of discipleship?
I. Luke 14:1-35. It costs much to have saltiness, for someone to stay on the narrow path. There are sacrifices that need to be made and hard choices to endure … and God doesn’t take excuses. Rather, He looks for a disciple who will put God’s Kingdom first in His life–or is worth his, erm, salt.
II. 2 Peter 2:20-22. There are ways that Christians lose their saltiness. In just the example from Luke 14, we see that they can exert worldly strength over godly weakness, exalt self, look to be repaid here, believe excuses will justify contrary behaviors to God, not put God’s Kingdom and righteousness first, not carry his cross, or place too much emphasis on material goods.
III. Luke 12:32-34. We must hold onto our saltiness. Our eternity depends on it. In the Old Testament, which was a shadow of the reality to come, salt was required when offering sacrifices (Leviticus 2:13). So, how much more should we include salt in ourselves offered as living sacrifices to God in the New Testament time (Romans 12:1)?
We must hold onto our saltiness–persevering through our many trials and living for God!