December 11, 2008 (Matthew 5:13-20)

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? – Jesus (Matt. 5:13)

Have you ever considered that? What would you do with salt if it wasn’t salty? You couldn’t plant anything in it. You couldn’t build anything from it. You couldn’t burn it for energy. It would be just what Jesus said: worthless!

As followers of the Christ, we’re called to be the salt of the earth; But do we live up to that calling? Recently, I read a review of Michael Horton’s new book Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church. It said that Horton argues a fundamental change has come upon many American churches, and it has nothing to do with whether a church is left, right, or center, part of a denomination or not. Across the board our churches in different ways are adopting a therapeutic, utilitarian, even narcissistic “all about me” Christian message. Reflecting the predominant culture in the United States…we have come to believe that we need, not a “Redeemer,” but a “Life Coach.” We no longer ask “what does God require of me,” but rather, “what can God do for me?”

Do any of these criticisms strike home? Is there an annoying voice in the back of your mind whispering that perhaps the reason our churches seem to have so little impact on society is not because we don’t have enough people…but because we aren’t salty enough? Have we become worthless? Sadly, even when we hear these voices, many of us move quickly to silence them. After all, they sound rather “negative”…and a good Life Coach is never negative. (Just ask Tony Robbins!)

Maybe we don’t need what we think we need. Maybe we need less psychologizing and self-esteem and a little more repentance and holiness. Perhaps we have enough kettle-corn Christians…perhaps it’s time to be a little less sweet, and a little more salty?

-- Justin

Here's a neat activity to do with your kids. For similar ideas visit the ChildFun Family website here.

Salt of the Earth
Supplies: 2 cups salt, 1 cup cornstarch, 1 1/4 cups cold water, paper clips. Mix the salt, cornstarch and cold water in a saucepan. Ask an adult to heat the mixture until it is very thick.
Let the dough cool a little. Then squish it between your fingers until it's smooth. Use the dough to form the letters of your name. Press the paper clips into the backs of the letters to make hooks. Let the dough dry until it's hard. Then hang the letters in your room as a reminder to be the "salt of the earth."