It is pleasing to hear that we are the salt of the earth. We are Jehovah's children and as such we have a birthright. But with that comes much responsibility. We are to be accountable for our actions and an example to the weak and to non-believers of the love that Jesus taught us to have for our family in Christ. The love that Jesus instills in us is stronger and more desirable than any other kind of love.
Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be trampled under foot.
What does it mean to be the salt of the earth and lose our saltiness or flavour? Salt in this verse is a symbol of lasting concord. It is an agreement between people. It is harmony in a group of people. To lose our flavour or essential character would be to no longer be in general agreement with each other. To lose our saltiness is to lose our right, our unity, and our strength. To be in discord with one another is foolish.
Mark 9:50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltiness, wherewith will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and live in peace one with another.
We are to live in peace with one another. But how do we always live in harmony with each other? Jehovah God's word, the holy bible, gives us specific instructions on how to resolve conflict with one another when those conflicts are due to sin. We learn what actions to take step by step.
Matthew 18:15-17 If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won't accept the church's decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
We can see by these instructions that we are to go to great lengths to live in harmony with one another, not turn a blind eye or ignore the problem but resolve the problem. There are other examples in the word on how to handle conflict with one another and how important it is.
Matthew 5:23-24 So if you are presenting a sacrifice (gift) at the alter in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the alter. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
Not only are we to give our brother and sisters in Christ doctrine, reproof and correction, we are also supposed to take the initiative to right a wrong that we have done to someone. If someone has anything against us we should talk to that person and make it right. Even if is just a misunderstanding there shouldn't be anything left undone in our relationships with one another.
Romans 14:19-Romans 15:7 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. Don't tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble (be offended or weakened). You may believe there's nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between you and God. Blessed are those who don't feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn't live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, "The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me." Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled. May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept one another just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.
Jesus is our Lord and Savior. He sits on the right hand of God. He was with God before the world was created yet he humbly died on the cross. He gave his life for us and set an example for us to follow. Jesus knew his time had come. It was before the passover and he and the disciples were together getting ready to eat supper. Jesus got up from the table and, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet and drying them with the towel that he had around his waist.
Jesus wasn't washing clean feet. They wore sandle's. They walked on dirt roads that they shared with animals. Really think about it. The Son of God humbly washed the disciples feet. Why? What was he teaching them? Why did he set this example to follow?
John 3:14-17 You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and you are right, because that's what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
The disciples argued among themselves about which one of them would be the greatest. Could it be that Jesus gave the above example to humble them and to remind them that no matter how great they become they are servants and they have been called to serve. Can you imagine what your reaction would be if Jesus sat down in front of you and began to wash your feet?
We are to live in harmony and to encourage one another. We are the salt of the earth, children of the most high God. We have been given the birthright as sons and daughters of God and we are to retain our essential character which is to love one another, live in harmony with one another, thereby setting an example for the unbeliever and the weak in Christ.