"For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavour, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another." Mark 9:49-50 NKJV
Salt had a great value in bible times. It would be used for medicinal purposes, such as sores and wounds, where it's saltiness would purify the wound, albeit in a very painful way. It was and still is today, used for seasoning our food. In most of the TV cooking programs, you will almost always hear the presenter saying that the food needs more seasoning. Salt used in this manner is a personal choice; for some, the use of salt gives the dish the taste they require; for others, it is a revolting choice. At the end of the day, it comes down to a person's preference. Salt can also be used as a preservative. I have been around many old farmhouses where the typical farmer's wives have joints of meat hanging from the ceilings after being salted. It may sound strange to many people but, to country people, it is a way of life.
It is said that many Roman soldier's salary was salt. For their efforts, salt was their payment and the saying, 'He was or was not, worth his salt', originates from this practice.
Believers are called to be like salt in promoting peace among fellow believers v50. This demonstrates the preserving power of God.
The term 'Seasoned with fire,' originates from the Jewish Law where every sacrifice had to be seasoned with salt before it was offered to God on the altar Leviticus 2:13. This was known as the Salt of the Covenant Numbers 18:19. We too, are tested with fire to ensure that we are acceptable to God 1Peter 1:6-9. This is hard to endure as we go through these times but, it is a purification process that shows our genuineness and dedication to God. It gives us our saltiness.
Just like in cooking, the use of salt is a skill - too much and the meal tastes awful, too little and it may also not meet the grade for some people. Getting the balance right is essential. I speak here as an example to people who like to have salt in their diet. If you, the reader, do not use salt, then forgive me, please.
As salt brings a good seasoning quality to food, then a believer, using the saltiness of God's Word, brings value to a fellow believer. A person who has lost their saltiness is unable to bring seasoning to the people. A person with saltiness is able and brings the peace of God.
Where do you stand with this?
Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.
Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
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