CHRISTIANITY: THE LIFE OF INFLUENCE – Part 2

 TUESDAY, 2ND MAY, 2023.

Topic: CHRISTIANITY: THE LIFE OF INFLUENCE – Part 2

SALT IS A SUBSTANCE OF INFLUENCE, LIVE AS SALT.

MEMORIZE: “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Colossians 4:6.

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 5:13

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”

EXPOSITION:

Salt is a substance of influence. Jesus commissioned his disciples to live the life of influence like salt and light. Now Christ's disciples having themselves learned the doctrine of the gospel, and being employed to teach it to others, were as salt. To this effect, Christians, and especially ministers, are the salt of the earth. If they be such as they should be - they are as good salt, white, and small, and broken into many grains, but very useful and necessary. Pliny says, “Without salt human life cannot be sustained.” 

LET US EXAMINE THIS ABOUT SALT:

(1.) What they are to be in themselves

They are seasoned with the gospel, with the salt of grace; thoughts and affections, words and actions, all seasoned with grace, Col 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Have salt in yourselves, else you cannot diffuse it among others, Mark 9:50 "Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."

(2.) What they are to be to others. 

They must not only be good but also to do good, must insinuate themselves into the minds of the people, not to serve any secular interest of their own, but that they may transform them into the taste and relish of the gospel. They must influence their environment and by their exemplary life, they bring many to Christ for their salvation.

(3.) What great blessings they are to the world. 

Mankind, lying in ignorance and wickedness, were a vast heap of unsavoury stuff, ready to decompose; but Christ sent forth his disciples, by their lives and doctrines, to season it with knowledge of Christ and grace, and so to render it acceptable to God, to the angels, and to all that delight in divine things. 

(4.) How they must expect to be disposed of. 

They must not be laid on a heap, must not continue always together at Jerusalem, but must be scattered as salt upon the meat, here a grain and there a grain; as the Levites were dispersed in Israel, that, wherever they live, they may communicate their savour.  Some have observed, that whereas it is foolishly called an ill omen to have the salt fall towards us, it is really an ill omen to have the salt fall from us. 

PRAYER POINT: i. Lord, help me to live the life of godly influence to the fullness in Jesus name.

ii. Help me to bring the sweet aroma of the gospel to others through the manifestation of Christ-likeness in me in Jesus name.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  1 Chronicles 30-32.