Salt of the Earth?!

S - “So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. "Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned? It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."” Luke 14:33-35 NASB

O -  The issue of salt-like quality is a big deal for Jesus.  It's also a big deal for the religion of his day and frankly for all religions.  The problem is that religion's salt and Jesus' salt have very little in common.  Religion wants some of our possessions (a tithe, a gift, etc.) and Jesus puts a claim on all one is and has. Religion's salt is focused on not doing certain actions and Jesus' salt is replete with actions that are out of this world (i.e. love your enemy; do good to them, lend to them, be kind to the ungrateful and wicked because the Father is kind to them; lose your life to find it; give it away to keep it, etc.). The religious of Jesus' day considered themselves the salt of the earth but he identified a very different and tragic reality. ““But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.”” Luke 11:42-44 ESV The religious were salt without taste … not only were they of no help; they made those who came in contact with them worse than before.

A - My experience has been that the "salt" of religion is about not sinning.  The "salt" of the Kingdom is about living out loud the reality of the God who is love.  It's the greatest commandment (Matthew 22).  Without it (love) everything is noise and nothing (1 Corinthians 13). It's the only measure given by Jesus which verifies those who are actually his disciples (John 13). Not sinning is a good thing but it does not make nor identify salt.  All the residents of every cemetery on planet earth have ceased sinning.  The police, the fire department, the military and the like are never summoned to put down illegal activities engaged by them. They never have a sinful thought or word.  No one there ever sins and none are alive.  Jesus is calling me and all who follow him to life to the full (John 10). A life full of the flavor of him who is love, life and light.   

P - Lord who loves the world,

I am asking to live the miracle of love; to be the salt you are and you've called me to be as I live in you and you live in me.  Thank you for insisting that I admit that everyday requires a miracle for me to live as your disciple.  I give all.  I give away. I say yes to you and all you already have in mind.

I love you back,

Steve