In the first few verses of Matthew Chapter 5 we see 'the beatitudes' that portray the character of a person. These are being poor in spirit, being meek in heart, being peace makers and so on. Jesus then teaches the hearers of beatitudes to become influencers of the world by becoming 'the salt and the light'. These are called 'simlitudes', a word that comes from the word ‘similar’. If we put beatitudes together with similitudes, we can see that 'out of our character emerges influence'. The early church was greatly shaped by the beatitudes and the similitudes. We all make influence in the world during and after our lives. We are also being influenced by the people who have lived and died before us.
Salt has some very interesting history. It was highly valued and was used as a method of trade and currency. Historians report that Ceasar's soldiers were paid salary by means of salt. The word used for that practice is called 'salarium' from which the word 'salary' came. In ancient Greece, slaves were sold for salt (a bad slave was "not worth his salt"). In fact in recent history, during the War of 1812, (the Anglo-American War 1812-1815, fought between the US and British colonies) salt or brine was used to pay soldiers in the field. By being salt to this world, Christians are becoming a precious commodity that adds value to the existence of the social fabric.
The word 'salad' originated from the word 'salt'. The early Romans used to salt their leafy greens and vegetables to make 'salads'. A follower of Christ brings savor and flavor to the world around him or her. A merciful boss can flavor a hurting employee's family. A merciful and forgiving spouse can bring flavor to the relationship.
Salt was also used as a preservative from very ancient times. Salt was used to preserve meat before refrigerators came. We use salt to make pickles that can last for years without decay. We are to become the preservative that preserves moral and social values in a world where these are decaying. Without Christianity, the world as a whole will spiral into moral decay and destruction. As long as Christians are living, the world be stopped from diminishing to moral bankruptcy.
Though salt cannot change an already decayed food into good food, it can preserve food from going into decay. Jesus said, "if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot." Salt can lose its effectiveness by getting mixed with something else like dirt or soil. Such salt can only be used on the ground to step on from slipping. May we become the precious salt that flvors the world by an abundance of goodness, truth, and love.
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Blessings
Mathew Philip
Salt has some very interesting history. It was highly valued and was used as a method of trade and currency. Historians report that Ceasar's soldiers were paid salary by means of salt. The word used for that practice is called 'salarium' from which the word 'salary' came. In ancient Greece, slaves were sold for salt (a bad slave was "not worth his salt"). In fact in recent history, during the War of 1812, (the Anglo-American War 1812-1815, fought between the US and British colonies) salt or brine was used to pay soldiers in the field. By being salt to this world, Christians are becoming a precious commodity that adds value to the existence of the social fabric.
The word 'salad' originated from the word 'salt'. The early Romans used to salt their leafy greens and vegetables to make 'salads'. A follower of Christ brings savor and flavor to the world around him or her. A merciful boss can flavor a hurting employee's family. A merciful and forgiving spouse can bring flavor to the relationship.
Salt was also used as a preservative from very ancient times. Salt was used to preserve meat before refrigerators came. We use salt to make pickles that can last for years without decay. We are to become the preservative that preserves moral and social values in a world where these are decaying. Without Christianity, the world as a whole will spiral into moral decay and destruction. As long as Christians are living, the world be stopped from diminishing to moral bankruptcy.
Though salt cannot change an already decayed food into good food, it can preserve food from going into decay. Jesus said, "if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot." Salt can lose its effectiveness by getting mixed with something else like dirt or soil. Such salt can only be used on the ground to step on from slipping. May we become the precious salt that flvors the world by an abundance of goodness, truth, and love.
Click the link below to hear more
Blessings
Mathew Philip
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