Be Salty – Change Agents in the Church and Society
Matthew 5:13 (NIV): “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.”
Let’s focus on the first sentence - “You are the salt of the earth.” In the following verses, Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus Christ refers to Christians as light and salt before inviting us to make our light shine. What does it mean to make our light shine? More importantly, what does it mean to be the salt of the earth?
Salt of the Earth
Matthew 5:13 (NIV): “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.”
Let’s focus on the first sentence - “You are the salt of the earth.” In the following verses, Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus Christ refers to Christians as light and salt before inviting us to make our light shine. What does it mean to make our light shine? More importantly, what does it mean to be the salt of the earth?
Salt of the Earth - What did Jesus mean? By calling us salt, Jesus declared four truths over us.
You are NECESSARY for life.
Salt is essential for life. It’s an important nutrient that helps the body maintain fluid balance and regulate blood pressure, among other things.
You are an AGENT of CHANGE.
Salt changes any environment it is introduced into. It interacts chemically with other compounds. In Chemistry, salt is a catalyst…and a catalyst increases the rate of a chemical reaction.
Alone, a catalyst doesn’t make anything happen, but its presence brings influence for change.
You are to be DISTRIBUTED and ENGAGED.
We are not the salt of the shelf or salt in the shaker. “Of the Earth” speaks to how we should engage with the world around us. Salt serves no purpose in isolation.
You are very VALUABLE.
In biblical times, salt was highly valued in its pure form. Fun fact! Did you know that Salarium is a Latin word that means "salt money"? It is the origin of the word salary.
Even so, salt is also a preservative, an antiseptic, a cleanser, and it creates thirst… a thirst for God. Amen!!
Now, let’s shift focus to the second point – being agents of change.
Step #2: More “we”. - Teamwork/Collaboration - There is no I in team. We cannot do this alone. Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs to preach the word. The ministries we offer are built on teamwork. Change agents influence, but we are not always the visionaries or decision-makers. It takes a team.
Hebrews 10:24 - “And let us”
Step #3: More thinking about the needs of others – Servant Leadership
The word “servant” says it all. We should seek to serve first. When you serve, you put the needs of others first. The congregation. Your team members.
“Consider how” you can help them become fulfilled - Hebrews 10:24
Step #4: Poking and prying with a purpose – Formalized curiosity; Encouraging Growth
This is a phrase coined by author Zora Neale Hurston to describe the act of research. Formalized curiosity is another way to say investigate and explore. We should constantly be “exploring” new information and encouraging growth – mental, emotional, and religious. We are only as strong as our weakest link. You can’t expect to grow without knowledge.
Hebrews 10:24 - “Spur one another on”
Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Step #5: More love with zero strings – Genuine Relationship; Seek no benefit
We should love with no strings attached. Love isn’t about what or how we benefit, but how we can help others. It is not transactional but transformational. This should be applied to love and other aspects of our lives.
Hebrews 10:24 -“toward love”
I Corinthians 13:13 - And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Step #6: More strategic acts of kindness - Kindness
Random acts of kindness are great. But we should think about how to implement kindness – strategically. That means our acts of kindness should be thought out and align with the mission and end goal.
Hebrews 10:24 - “toward love and good deeds”
Step #7: More gathering times – Fellowship/Community
Hebrews 10:25 - “not giving up meeting together”
Step #8: More courage catalysts – Courage
Hebrews 10:24 - “encouraging one another”
Stepping out on faith takes courage. Agreeing to be born again as a new creature takes courage. It is not easy for all to turn to God. We must encourage our peers to seek God. We must promote courage in abiding by God’s law. Especially in this devil-filled world we live in.
One last thought - Colossians 3:23-24:
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
A change agent is a person who helps an organization and people transform through inspiration or influence. They become a catalyst for change. Jesus has launched you to be a catalyst and change agent in the world. Our presence should be enough to influence change. How so? Because we should be a reflection of Jesus. Our faith should be so strong that it radiates from us.
Christians were meant to be change agents. Our God-given responsibility is to share the gospel, a life-changing message, to make more disciples. Jesus taught His disciples to be change agents (Matthew 23:1-36, 5:21-44). So, if the disciples were, then we should be as well. Remember, God chose everyday people to be his disciples? This concept can be applied through discipleship, your role as a volunteer, or even at work. Everyone on this call here today is, or could be, an agent of change.
Here are 8 steps to becoming a change agent – especially as a leader and volunteer.
Eight Steps to Becoming a Change Agent:
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV. This scripture is a connection point as to how we should be catalysts.
Step #1: Begin with the end in mind. – The literal end. We are to bring people to Christ before the end of days. Therefore, our goal should be to recruit as many followers as we can to God’s army. Everything we do should be with this goal in mind. It is critical to assemble as we move further into the last days, so we are strengthened and protected.
Hebrews 10:25 - “and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
