If the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it?

“‘Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves…’” (the Bible, Mark 9:50, NKJV)

Jesus is truly the salt of the Earth. Because He is, so are we. Can salt lose its flavor? Not usually, if it’s real salt. But it wasn’t uncommon in Jesus’ time for salt to be mixed, contaminated. 

The salt had to be pure, authentic. And that’s what you are. You’re already pure because of the Word that Jesus has spoken to you. (see John 15:3)  

Salt was often a form of currency. In fact, the word “salary” comes from the word “salt” (“sal” in Latin). “…the wages [or salary] of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, NLT)

It’s a life full of flavor that Jesus wants us to have. An abundant life that makes a difference in the lives of others.

Salt has many qualities that Jesus desires to find in us:

• Salt gives flavor. When in contact with food, salt enhances its flavor. We’re called to give the taste of life back to those who have lost it.
• Salt makes people thirsty. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, Jesus said. Jesus salted our lives, making us thirsty for God. Because we thirst for God, we cause others to be thirsty.
• Salt preserves foods, keeping them from being contaminated. “Having salt” means persevering in a life of obedience to God’s Word and refusing all forms of contamination or corruption.
• Salt purifies, like an antiseptic. In fact, bleach is made from salt. Our salt content is measured by our taste for living a life that glorifies God. The Bible calls this sanctification, without which no one will see God.

The expression “lose its flavor” can be translated “become foolish.” What Jesus means by this is that it would be foolishness to become a believer but not be a disciple. It would be foolish to say that you are a Christian but not carry your cross. And foolish to say that you follow Him without renouncing yourself. To live without flavor is to boast of being wise while having become foolish.

If you feel like you’ve lost your flavor, know that Jesus hasn’t lost His. Through contact with Him, in His presence, you can be renewed and regenerated. Like David, you can say to Him, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10, NKJV)  

Under the law, animal sacrifices had to be accompanied by salt. Under grace, it’s our lives that must be accompanied by salt. You are the salt of the Earth.