Christian Influence in a Post-Christian World Will Need to be Uniquely Salty

But what does this mean?

Christian influence in a “post-Christian” world should be the same as in a “pre-Christian” context.

As Jesus says in Matthew 5:13, his disciples are “the salt of the earth.”

What does this mean?

When Paul speaks of being salty in Colossians 4:6, he applies it to how we speak — as “seasoning.” He writes, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Ah. Seasoned with salt = full of grace. That is helpful. It’s also consistent with the heart of the gospel.

In view of the cross, the seasoning of our speech means it will be flavored not with the tone of condescension and condemnation but of kindness and compassion.

Truth and love.

We’ll speak truth with humility and love with empathy, knowing that apart from sovereign, regenerating grace, every Christian stood justly condemned for treason against the king.

But the gospel makes a salty declaration.

“4But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with…