But there is a serious warning in Matthew 5:13: “If the salt loses its saltiness … it is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Salt can lose its saltiness. There are phases in a believer’s life when he loses his influence. Moral downfall, unholy ambition, conspicuous sin—these can all make someone ineffective for the Lord. Paul advised that God’s servants keep a good reputation so they will not become a stumbling block. We can be slandered, and if it is not our fault, God will defend us. But if we become worthless because of our own fault, that is a serious matter.
There is another possibility: in the eyes of people, we seem salty, but in God’s sight, we are bland. God is the judge. If we are truly salty, God will place us in His time. Do not harbor wrong ambitions. Do not force yourself. True saltiness does not need promotion—it will be felt on its own. Therefore, we must preserve and increase our spiritual quality. Do not be satisfied with only one aspect. Pay attention to our whole life.
Mark 9:50 says, “Have salt among yourselves and be at peace with one another.” If we like to quarrel and find it hard to reconcile, it means we are losing our saltiness. Salt brings flavor, not strife. So being salt also means learning humility, controlling one’s temper, and practicing forgiveness. We may fail often, but we can be restored.
There is another deep verse: “Everyone will be salted with fire” (Mark 9:49). Fire speaks of process—struggle, suffering, and testing. To become salt of quality in God’s sight, we must be processed. There is no instant maturity. After decades of ministry, someone may only then begin to feel he truly is salt—and even then, it is not fully satisfying. The process burns ego, purifies motives, and sharpens character.
Have you ever approached someone and felt your life changed? Or conversely, drawn near to someone and become more distant from God? That is influence. We are called to be people who, when others come near, stir in them a greater longing for the Lord. But before that happens, we must experience maturity. Flying hours, struggles, and tears—these shape saltiness.
Do not delay. Begin now before it is too late. Let the Lord salt us with His fire. Let the process form us until we are mature. For when we truly become salt, our lives will radiate something that cannot be imitated. People will see and say, “I want to be like that.” And most beautiful of all, the Lord delights in our lives.
How beautiful is life as salt—not because we are great, but because we become the Lord’s pride.