A Life of Influence

Dear Readers,
Here's just a short thought from my message that won FIRST PLACE IN
THE STATE OF INDIANA! PRAISE GOD!

In Matthew chapter five Jesus introduces the guidlines for a blessed
life. We often referr to these as the beattitudes. In verse 12 of
Matt.5 Christ refferres to the prophets that were before us. He then
concludes this listing with a simple command that is often overlooked
in our complex lives. The command is this: "Ye are the salt of the
earth." Why would God choose salt as a metaphor for the Christian
life? When was the last time someone described your testimony as
"Salty"? So my question for you today is :"Are you living a life of
influence?"
First lets take a look at the Declaration of Christ. "YE" is the
subject of this command and referres to all Christians. It definitely
referred back to those prophets in verse 12. Theses were men of great
influence. The continue to impact our lives today. We find many of
them in the "Hall of Faith" or Hebrews 11. The ye also referres to
you as a Christian today. Because you are saved>you are salt. There
is no excuse or exeption. This is a edict from Christ. The second
word "ARE" is a liking verb which links the salt to the ye. It is a
state of being verb as well. The prophets were the salt. YE ARE the
salt. There is also a Danger that lies in this verse. "But if the
salt have lost his savor..." The danger is that salt can lose its
savor or ability to season. As a christian you should stand out in a
crowd as something different. In Bible-times if one impurity made
its way into their salt reserve it was "good for nothing." Just like
their salt, if we allow the impurities of this world to inhabit our
lives we will lose our effectiveness as a Christian. God will no
longer have a use for us and we will be cast out and trodden under the
foot of men. Are you living a life of influence?
Secondly lets take a look at the Distinction of Salt. Again, why
would God use salt as the metaphor? Well, because it has a distinct
taste. Everything else is in comparison to salt. When we eat
something one of our major responses is, "Oh, that was salty!" Salt
stands out on everything it is put on. Your presence should be
manifested in every environment. Salt also has a distinct task. I
would like to nickname this, Operation Preservation by Purity. Like I
mentioned before salt has to be pure in order to season. It can't be
mixed in with anything else. Job 6:6 says, "Can that which is
unsavory be eaten without salt.. . ." Something that is stale, of
course, doesn't taste good without salt. My sister won't eat alot of
foods without salt. Just like that, the Bible is a stale book to
those who aren't saved. Christians being the salt are to enhance the
flavor of the word of God. How can they hear without a preacher. Are
you living a life of influence?
Thirdly and finally lets notice God's Desire for Salt. His first
desire is that we be separate. Christ isn't looking for the commodity
salt, he is looking for the influence of it. You cannot be effective
unless you are separate. His second desire is that we realize THIS IS
NOT A STEALTH OPERATION. This is pretty self explanatory so I won't
go into detail. We've seen Christ's declaration: YE (the Christian)
ARE (presently) the salt, The Danger: You can lose your ability to
season, the Distiction of salt, it has a distinct taste and task, and
God's DESIRE for salt. So I will finish with my question:

ARE YOU
LIVING A LIFE OF INFLUENCE?

P.S. This is our 100th post!