Salted, Not Sugar-Coated

IN the Wise Words of Biblical Womanhood:

“We cannot be the SALT of the earth—If we keep sugar coating the GOSPEL.”

As Christians WE have the responsibility to uphold The Truth of The Gospel — the good spell — without comPromisINg its message.

The metaphor of BEINg the "Salt of the EARTh" IS drawn from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount IN the first book of the New Testament of the Bible, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄, wHere He calls His disciples to preServe The Truth and INfluence The World around them with His teachINgs.

Our identity as "Salt and Light" IS One of the first and most significant Ways WE are described as followers of and BElievers IN Christ. Jesus calls His disciples the "Salt of the EARTh" and the "Light of the World" (𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟱:𝟭𝟯–𝟭𝟰) right after He Blesses them IN the BEatitudes (𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟱:𝟭–𝟭𝟮).

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and pt it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟱:𝟭–𝟭𝟲

If the BEatitudes rePresent the constitution of the KINgdom, then BEINg "Salt and Light" IS how the Citizens of Heaven are to walk and Live IN HOLY distINction — set apart — from the Ways of a fallen and sINful World.

Salt, symbolizes Purity and preServation — revealINg that Christians are to maINtaIN the INtegrity of The Gospel.

The idea of "sugar-coatINg" the Gospel speaks to the temptation to dilute or soften its message, to excuse your own or others sIN and / or to make God’s Law and COMMAND more acceptable or comfortable for others. While thIS might make the message more palatable or easier to abide IN, it risks losINg its transformative and transcendINg — trance-endINg — Power and the core Truths that challenge and change HeARTs and Lives.

The Gospel IS meant to convict and call people to repentance, not just to comfort them.

Take a moment to consider whether you have, at times, comPromised the message of Christ to avoid conflict, to enable your own or others sINful Nature, to gaIN approval, or out of fear of rejection. While the INtention might BE to reach more people or to avoid offendINg others, thIS approach can lead to a diluted Faith that lacks the depth and Power of the True Gospel.

SALT BRINGS ABOUT A THIRST IN OTHERS, FOR THE LORD.

Physically, Salt makes people thirsty. BIOlogically, Water follows sodium (Salt) — sodium (Salt) draws Water INto the cells. Spiritually, when Christians Live IN a Way that reflects the Love, BEaUty, and Truth of God, it can Create a Spiritual thirst IN others to Know God and to draw Him (“LIVING WATER”) IN.

A disciple expresses and emBodies their role as the "Salt of the EARTh" by offerINg a True taste of the KINgdom of Heaven — through themselves. Unadulterated. UncontamINated. UnrefINed. Pure.

A disciples role IS not to make the Gospel "taste better" by removINg its challenging aspects but to Present it as it IS, KnowINg that its Truth Will speak for itself and that the Holy Spirit Will work IN the HeARTs of those who hear it.

Know thIS,

You cannot BE impartial IN your Servanthood. As a Servant you cannot BE co-owned by two INdependent (and opposINg) masters, BEcause INdependent masters Will command and lead the Servant IN different and COMPETING (not complementary) directions. You can either Service Eternity, or BE a slave of materiality. Those who are Truly committed and Devoted to ServINg The Lord prioritize depositINg and storINg up treasures IN Heaven, rather than on EARTh.

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despite the other. You cannot serve God and money.” 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟲:𝟮𝟰

While WE are Here it feels resonant and relevant to share the 9 Ways of participatINg IN another’s sIN —

1. By counsel.
2. By command.
3. By consent.
4. By provocation.
5. By praise or flattery.
6. By concealment.
7. By participation.
8. By silence.

I Trust thIS Will BE a site of revelation, remembrance and restoration.

Amen.