Daily Devotional

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 thrown out and trampled underfoot.
- Matthew 5:13

In His teachings, Jesus used several powerful comparisons. In the Sermon on the Mount, He compared His followers to salt and light. If light does not shine in the darkness, it loses its purpose and its essential quality. In the same way with salt: if it does not season, enhance flavor, and preserve, it becomes useless!

Throughout human history, salt has been extremely valuable. Long ago, in addition to giving flavor to food, salt was used to preserve it before refrigerators existed. It even became the salary of Roman soldiers (from there come the words salary and soldier, from sal, salt). Today we also know that salt is essential for life. Without sodium, the human body would be incapable of performing many vital functions. As Jesus said, this is exactly how God’s people are in this world!

You are salt in this earth that is thirsty for Life and transformation. We live in a tasteless and corrupted world. Christ in you is the life and flavor that can give meaning to so many who are lost. So get out of the saltshaker!

Give flavor to this world!

• If salt stays inside the saltshaker and never reaches pots, dishes, and dough, it makes no difference!
• Bring the love of God everywhere you go.
• Share the faith in Christ! He is the only One who can restore this world that is decaying.
• Pray and ask God to use you as flavorful salt on this earth.

Prayer

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.

1 John 2:15

When the Bible mentions the "world", it can be referring to the physical planet where we live, to all nations, to the human race, or as in this case, to the corrupted system of things and values we find in this fallen world. In today's verse, love of the world speaks to us of interest in and attachment to everything that gives rise to pride, selfishness and other sins. The desire and admiration for the attractions of the world will oppose the love and dedication given to God and His will.

Look at the activities, ideas, feelings or hobbies in your life - have they taken the place of God in your heart? What do you devote more time, effort and money to? Remove the idols that are in your heart. Understand that it's not wrong to dream of having better things in life. The problem is when these same things become the most important thing to you. The Father's love needs to be number one in your heart, everything else will be in addition, not pole position.

Dedicate your love to the right cause:

• Pray and ask God to help you identify the areas or worldly tendencies you have been leaning toward.
• Ask for forgiveness if you know that you have loved the world more than the Lord... Always aspire to have God first in your heart.
• Take care that the simple things of everyday life don't become idols in your life: relationships, money, leisure, status, addictions, etc.
• Seek to learn from the Bible how to love God more. Set aside time every day for reading and meditation.
• There is nothing and no one in this world who deserves our love more than the Lord God.

Pray:

Beloved Father, I need you. Forgive me when I feel so drawn to the things of this evil world. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus Christ and to love the things that matter in this life. May the Father's love remain in me and may I love Him above all things. In Jesus' name, Amen!