Bro. Terry Ivy
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?”(Matthew 5:13a) It is easy for us to understand how Jesus is the salt of the earth; however, he turns the attention on you and me. We are called to make a difference in a world that sees less and less about how they need Christ. In his famous sermon on the mount, Jesus calls you and me the ‘salt of the earth.’
We must allow the truths of the Bible and the Holy Spirit to make our life salty before the world. Too much salt, and we have the danger of becoming brackish. Too little, and we become insipid. Only God can give us a healthy balance.
This week, our culture celebrated Halloween. Every year, some well-meaning believers denounce the celebration and criticize anyone participating. Others embrace it with all the trappings and foolishness of the world. One over salts and the latter under salts. What should we do as followers of Jesus Christ?
We have three options regarding celebrations and holidays that have their historical roots in paganism. First, we can blindly adopt it and lose our witness for truth and purity. Second, we can altogether reject it and become an unwise and religious isolationist and social misfit. Or third, we can look for ways to redeem it. This third option is the only one that offers a viable alternative and allows us to reach out to the world by being different in the midst of their values.
It has been a joy to see so many churches offer ‘Harvest Festivals’ that gives an alternative to ghoulish and dark celebrations of evil. The caring for our children and their safety has been wonderful to behold. Also, as individuals answering the door to little trick-or-treaters, there are opportunities for us to be the salt.
I enjoy complimenting some of the kids for their cute and funny costumes. They enjoy dressing up as a superhero. Also, I offer them more candy if they promise to tell that parent or grandparent that “They love them.” It has been a joy to watch them run off and tell their parent or chaperone, “I love you,” and then see them hugging as they walk down the street. I remember my mom being exhausted from work but still taking the time to walk us kids around the block to get candy. She didn’t need some arrogant religious Pharisee blasting her with their legalism.
I applaud the local churches that have sacrificed time and money to give the children an alternative to the dark side of Halloween. We should care about their joy and safety and offer a day of family fun. We never know which act of kindness will be the event to help rescue some of the families of those who attended and get them to church. It is our duty to redeem the culture.
Our Lord commanded us to be… The Salt of the Earth!
