Mark 9:50
Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.
There is a wonderful illustration that goes something like this: “While it is true that you can lead a horse to water, you can’t make him drink . . . but you can salt his oats!” I cannot begin to tell you the number of times that illustration has come to my mind since I first heard it.
Some of us in Christian ministry wear ourselves out trying to force people to drink when they show no inclination and, in fact, refuse to drink. We heap on guilt or glitter, but there are still no slurping sounds. What is the answer? SALT THE OATS! Right! How do we do that? It is a good question and deserves careful consideration.
Salt is very valuable and has been used across the centuries for many purposes. It was used to preserve foods, season foods, and for its medicinal qualities. In Roman times, the soldiers were paid in salt. That is where the word salary came from. When you hear the expression, “He’s not worth his salt,” it refers to the payment in salt that was received.
With that bit of information in mind, in what way can we become salty Christians? I have two unrelated word pictures that may be of assistance. Have you ever been in a room full of people and pretended to be yawning? Do you know what happens? Others start yawning themselves. Perhaps you could say that you “salted” the yawn reflex.
The second word picture is encouraging reluctant youngsters to eat by eating with great relish ourselves. “Hmmmm! That is so good! I’m going to eat some more! Do you want to try some too?” I want to tell you it works better than saying, “Eat your veggies! There are starving children in the world who would love them!” Our kids used to reply, “Please send my veggies to them.”
In today’s Scripture, Jesus says that we are to have salt in us. I take that to mean that we are to be so full of Him that we are salt to those around us. In Colossians 4:6, Paul admonishes: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
There is no way we can live indifferent Christian lives and be salt and light to those around us. If we do that, we have lost our saltiness and no longer possess the appeal that will draw others to walk close to Christ.
Are you salting the oats of those you come in contact with? Are you creating such a desire that people must drink from God’s well that never will run dry? Spend time in God’s Word and see the thrill that will make you want more and more of Him.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil