Salt.

SALT.

Luke 14:34-35.

Salt is a particularly useful commodity. Trade is built upon it; wars have been fought over it; taxes upon it have been resisted. Films have even been made about it. Its uses range from being a condiment to being a preservative. At one time no house could do without it.

Pure salt is not necessarily capable of decay, but it loses its savour when mixed with that which is not salt. Other white powders exist on the coasts of the Dead Sea, which may be mistaken for salt. And if the mixture becomes wet, it is the real salt which is dissolved.

If we allow an admixture of non-Christian principles to permeate our lives, then our effective saltiness is lost. The residue of that which has lost its saltiness makes for a good footpath, but little else. The Christian who compromises his testimony loses the respect even of those who used to persecute him.