Introduction
Be real! Be real Church! Be real! These words were famous in our church. My mother-in-law, Carrie John, with tears running down her face often cried these words as she pleaded with the church to be genuine. She not only carried a burden for lost souls, but was also aware of the disconnect between God and His people. She would end her plea by leading the church into singing her favorite hymn, A Charge to Keep I Have. She never forgot her commitment to Christ to worship Him in Spirit and in truth as well as to treat others with the love of Christ. Her sincerity, genuine character, and her love for Christ left an impression upon me like no one has ever left. No matter whom she encountered, nor the placedowntown, at church, or in her neighborhoodshe had no problem Passing the Salt.
The Bible states that God is coming back looking for a church without spot or wrinkle. That church will be real. That church will be genuine. That church will have a never ending love for Christ. It would have completed its task according to Gods purpose. It will not matter the denomination. God will be looking for a church that completed the Great Commission. His Church will be adorned in holiness and will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. He has command us to Go ye therefore and teach all nations (Matt. 28:19) God will come back looking for the salt of the earth.
God wants us to demonstrate faith in Him as we claim the title He so graciously gave us, the salt of the earth. In our culture, salt of the earth is used to describe those who are held in high esteem. It is our duty and a command from God to be genuine, to be examples of Christ, and to add flavor to the earth. We are to be held in high esteem as our character reflects that of Christ.
In Psalm 131 David states .neither do I exercise myself in matters too great or in things too wonderful for me. (NIV) Reader beware! This book does not deal with political unrest among the nations; material prosperity is not the goal. It is not full of eloquent words nor does it define theological jargon. I write as the Holy Spirit gives utterance to my heart. This book is absolute in its thesis of Christians failure to add flavor to the world. Its basis is biblical truth that reminds Christians of their purpose in affecting the world and their role as the salt of the earth.
I am not able to cover every topic and/or scripture relative to such a broad concept. However, I pray that the content in this book will encourage you to be about your Fathers business, enlightening you and giving you a new-found vigor for following Christ as well as reaching lost souls.
My only challenge to you is to
PLEASE PASS THE SALT!!!
Chapter 1
YE ARE THE SALT Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? (NIV)
According to Matthew, you are the salt of the earth. You refers to the church. As Satan walks this earth seeking whom he may devour, Jesus has placed the church in position as the spiritual leader in the world. The church is a body of baptized believers in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus initiated the building of the church through Peters confession of faith.
He saith unto them, but whom says ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou are the Christ the Son of the living God.And I say also unto thee, That thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matt 16:15-18)
The foundation of the Church was built on Peters faiththe rock. The responsibility of continuation of the Church has been given to those who have accepted Christ as their Savior through that same rock (faith).
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