"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." MAT 5:13.

The Lord Jesus has placed a beautiful chronology in His Sermon on the Mount which is very significant; we must understand this chronology. First, He set forth the beatitudes. The first four beatitudes teach us the work of regeneration. These beatitudes are chronologically set forth as steps in a staircase.

The next three beatitudes teach us the fruit of regeneration, which is conversion. The eighth beatitude teaches us the reaction of the world to further identify the true believers. It still points to the true character of the believers because it identifies them.

These beatitudes teach the seven marks, or characteristics, of the Christian. These beatitudes are as a staircase leading up into the temple. Each beatitude rises above the one preceding it. The rest of the Sermon on the Mount, however, teaches the Biblical principles which are the pillars upon which the temple, or the body of Christ, is built.

It is so important to understand that the beatitudes teach us the steps to becoming part of the body of Christ which is the temple Jesus spoke of in JOH 2:19. "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Jesus was speaking of His body which is a type of the church.

The remainder of the Sermon on the Mount teaches the Biblical principles which govern the body; it reveals the Spirit of the law, i.e., the will of God for His church. It is so important that we understand this.

MAT 5:13-16 teaches the Biblical Christian principles which influence the world. We are no longer speaking of the character of the Christian, as we did in the beatitudes. These verses set forth spiritual principles which govern the body and the influence these Godly principles have on the world.

Jesus said, "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Those verses beautifully set forth how the principles of a Christian walk of life influence the world.

The Scriptures first teach who God's dear children are, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people," and then the Biblical principles by which they glorify God, "that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light," 1PE 2:9. Scriptures teach throughout the entire Bible, as Jesus does in the Sermon on the Mount, who the children of God are and the principles by which they glorify God.

FOR OUR FIRST POINT, let's consider that to be the salt of the earth is to be a deterrent to spiritual decay by the use of Scriptural principles.

FOR OUR SECOND POINT, let's consider that to be the salt of the earth is to season the earth with the Spirit of Christ through Scriptural principles.

FOR OUR THIRD POINT, let's consider how the salt has lost its savor when professed Christians forsake Scriptural principles.

FIRST, let's consider that to be the salt of the earth is to be a deterrent to spiritual decay by the use of Scriptural principles. In a literal sense, salt is used to deter decay. I have watched as this was done to deer hides. The men laid the pelts on the floor over a layer of salt. Next, they walked on top of the pelts to work the salt in. When one side was done, they turned the pelt over and did the same to the other side. Then they sprinkled salt on the pile of pelts before laying the next one on top.

They used salt to preserve the pelts, so they would not decay before tanning. While I watched this, our text came into my mind, and I saw such significance in the meaning that we are to be the salt of the earth. I realized that this salt was a deterrent to decay. If we are the salt of the earth, we are to be a deterrent against decay.

Salt was used as a preservative until refrigeration became common. Because of its value as a preservative, it was used to typify eternal preservation in the Old Testament sacrifices. NUM 18:19 says, "All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee."

This covenant of salt was to typify the eternal nature of the covenant. It was to be preserved forever. This showed the enduring nature of the covenant and that it would not decay. There could be no falling away because it was a covenant of salt forever before the Lord.

Salt in meat or any food is dissolved and drawn into the food by the otherwise harmful moistures. Decay uses these moistures within the food to destroy the product. As the moisture is drawn out by the salt, the food is preserved from decay. Take notice of our passage, MAT 5:13-16. It first speaks of salt, and then it says that ye are the light. The salt works internally. It works through the moisture that is within the body that is being preserved. The salt works within; the light shines without.

In this message, we will consider how the salt works within the body to preserve. In our next message, we will see how that which has been preserved will shine forth as a light. In this message, however, we are primarily dealing with the salt.

In the New Testament times, salt was used to for its power as a deterrent to decay and to purge out decay. Look at MAR 9:49. "For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt." This follows what the Lord Jesus just said in the previous verse. If your hand, foot, or eye offend, you must pluck it out or cut it off.

Jesus is pointing out the sacrifices we must make. We must sacrifice the body of sin. We must sacrifice the hand that is swift to exercise that which the evil mind contrives. We must sacrifice the foot that is swift to run to do evil. We must sacrifice the evil, lustful eye which is always looking for something beside that which pleases the Lord. The eye that is looking upon the things of the flesh must be plucked out. The body of sin must be put upon the altar. "For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt."

When we place those things that please the flesh upon the altar, they become a sacrifice that is salted with fire. The purging effect destroys the body of sin.

These sacrifices are sacrificing those things of the flesh, or that body of sin, which cause decay. ROM 6:6-7 says, "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin." Paul speaks of Jesus when he says in V:10, "For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God."

The carnal desires of the heart and mind, i.e., that "body of sin," must be salted with fire. We must die unto sin; salting with fire means the purging and cleansing process. It means taking away that which spoils the heart and the mind. The evil thoughts, the evil desires, and the hand which is swift to exercise them must all be purged away. The carnal heart and mind must be salted with fire. In other words, it must be tried with the principles of the Word of God.

It is so easy to imagine what some other person thinks. When we do this, immediately, we conceive those cockatrice eggs in the womb of our mind. In our heart, they become evil thoughts. We start passing judgment when we have evil thoughts about our neighbour. MAT 7:1 says, "Judge not, that ye be not judged." When we start passing judgment, it must be purged out with salt. It must be purged with the sacrifice, the salt of fire.

MAR 9:42 says, "And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea." With those offensive thoughts, we offend God's dear children who are little in faith. They are little in grace and subordinate to us. They are in a position under our leadership.

We tend to offend them, but the Lord says we may not do this. Such offenses brought about the illustration Jesus gave.

The disciple pointed out to Jesus that some were performing miracles in His name. He asked Christ to forbid them. "But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part," MAR 9:39-40. We have to be so careful not to offend one of God's little ones, i.e., those who are little in faith. It is something of which we are all so guilty. Within our evil nature, we tend to become offensive while thinking we are doing God's service.

The hands of that body of sin which work out those wicked devises must be salted with fire. MAR 9:43-44 says,"And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." We must use salt, i.e., Godly, Scriptural principles, to purge sinful thoughts and desires from our mind and heart.

The feet of that body of sin which are swift to run to evil must be salted with fire. He says in MAR 9:45, "And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched." It is much better that our sacrifice be salted with fire, sacrificing that evil hand and that evil foot than to have our whole body cast into hell. V:46 says, "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."

The lustful eye of that body of sin must be salted with fire. MAR 9:47 says, "And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire." If our eyes are always lusting after the things of this world, we must cut that off. We must salt that lust with fire. We must purge it out because if we dwell on those things our whole body shall be cast into hell. V:48, "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."

We must understand what it means to be seasoned with salt. If one of our brethren be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual, or who are the salt of the earth, must restore such a one. How do you restore such a one? Restoration can only be brought forth with Biblical principles. You cannot come to him as though you are an authority. There is only One Authority! That Authority is Christ, "... and his name is called The Word of God," REV 19:13.

By the authority of the Word of God, the Lord Jesus said, "Lazarus, come forth." Lazarus came out of the grave by the authority of the Word of God. Only by the authority of the Word of God will the Biblical principles be restored. That is how our brethren overtaken in a fault must be restored. GAL 6:1 says, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; [Not as an authority, but] considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."

It is so important that we become one bread, one body. We must not be individuals because we have all offended in many things. JAM 3:2 says, "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body."

In many things we offend all. We must be a hand and a foot to each other; some are weak in one area, and some are weak in another. Those who are Spiritual must "...lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed," HEB 12:12-13.

Restore Spiritual meekness with Biblical principles. "...restore such an one in the spirit of meekness...." Meekness means in total submission and subjection to the principles of God's Word.

MAT 18:1-3 says, "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

Are we going to use this Biblical principle to restore Spiritual meekness? It is so important that we do this. If pride is unchecked in our own heart, we start striving to be greater than one another like the disciples; we must follow Biblical principles as the basis for restoring meekness. The Biblical principle I just cited shows, "...Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." This is the meekness that must be restored into each and every heart. Restoring such "a one in the Spirit of meekness" is being the salt of the earth.

Cutting off the hand that offends is being the salt of the earth. Sometimes we must cut off the right hand of fellowship for disciplinary reasons. Cutting off the right hand often means cutting off the right hand of fellowship with those who are walking disorderly.

2TH 3:6 says, "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly." This is using the salt to deter decay. This is an internal Scriptural principle that we must use. We must let them know that if they are going to walk in a disorderly manner, they cannot remain as leaven within the lump. "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us," 1CO 5:7.

If this Biblical principle is not followed the whole lump will become leaven, i.e., the whole body will start walking disorderly. Therefore, we must withdraw the right hand of fellowship.

This does not mean that he is not a brother. In 2TH 3:14 we read, "And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed." This is the prescription given in the Scriptural principles for purging out those things which are not right; it is the process of purging out that disorderly walk. V:15 continues, "Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother."

We must use the Scriptural principles to purge out the leaven. We must deal with these matters on a Scriptural basis. It is irrelevant what we believe. To use salt means to use a Scriptural principle and to obey it. We must follow it for the edification of the church.

By using church discipline, the church governing body must act as the salt of the earth by restoring those that are taken in a fault. In 1CO 5:7-8 we read, "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."

A person who walks with leaven is one who is ignoring the principles of Scriptures. If one of these people wants to be counted as one of the brethren, Scripture says to have no company with them that he may be made ashamed. You restore him through church discipline.

We are instructed how this decay must be purged out. This sacrifice must be "salted with fire," i.e., with separation, with cutting off! 1CO 5:11 says, "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."

You don't eat with him; you don't fellowship with him; you don't take him within the fellowship of the body. You exclude him and let him know that he cannot be as leaven within the lump. He cannot walk disorderly and still enjoy the fellowship of the church. You don't treat him as a stranger, but you admonish him as a brother. It is so important to understand that we must adhere to the Scriptural principles set down by the Lord in His Word.

A pastor or ruling elder who fails to purge out the old leaven through church discipline must give an account of his stewardship because he is not performing his office. HEB 13:17 says, "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."

It is so important that those set in church leadership understand that these principles must be enforced. As the head and ruling elders of the church, they are duty bound; they must give an account of their stewardship. If they allow the whole lump to become leavened, they will have to give account. It is very, very important that church leaders, elders, and all who are spiritual understand and perform their duty and responsibility.

Those who die in their sins shall not enter the kingdom of God. This puts such a responsibility upon every believer. When we see those who are walking disorderly, we must draw it to their attention and purge out the old leaven. If they continue on and die in their sin, they will be destroyed for eternity.

In 1CO 6:9-10 we read, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." That is absolute. It says, "Be not deceived."

Those who are the salt of the earth must restore such a one so they can be forgiven. They are not sinning an unpardonable sin, but if they die in that sin, they will in no way inherit the Kingdom. Therefore, it becomes the absolute duty of those who are spiritual to restore such a person. In 1CO 6:11 it says, "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

It is the responsibility of those who are spiritual to restore those who have been taken in a fault. They may not just turn their eyes away. They must take responsibility because they will be called to give an account. This responsibility is not only for pastors and ruling elders; it includes all those who are spiritual. They must give an account of the body. If they see someone who is walking disorderly and continue to fellowship and be in harmony with them, they are guilty because they are encouraging that person to die in their sin which will prevent them from entering the Kingdom.

FOR OUR SECOND POINT, to be the salt of the earth is to season the earth with the Spirit of Christ through Scriptural principles.

Salt is not only used as a deterrent for decay; it is also used for seasoning and adding flavor. JOB 6:6 says, "Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?" Salt is used for the seasoning of many foods. Salt is also looked at as the seasoning of the Christian church. The Biblical principles of the Christian church are those which season the church.

COL 4:5-6 speaks of salt used for seasoning: "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." Seasoning with salt is so important. Our conversation can't be filled with foolish jesting. Our conversation can't be unbecoming to Christianity. Our conversation must be seasoned with salt, so the work and Spirit of Christ is reflected by our conversation. "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

You are being the salt of the earth when they can behold your conversation seasoned with salt. Read 1PE 3:1b-2; the woman is a type of the church. "...if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear." The church, which is the bride of Christ, must win those who are not obeying the Word. They also may without the Word be won by the chaste conversation of the bride of Christ which they behold.

"While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear." That word, "behold" in the original text means to observe, to watch, or to take notice of. In other words, those walking contrary to the Word of God may look upon and take notice of your chaste conversation which has been seasoned with salt and thereby be won. It is by your chaste conversation coupled with fear, i.e., with reverence and respect for the principles that are set forth in the Scriptures, that they may be won! This doesn't mean that you lord over a person demanding that they bow because you say so.

Our example set forth by a chaste conversation in meekness coupled with reverence and respect can win them, i.e., "While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear," 1PE 3:2. You will never bring a compulsion upon any man to come to the Lord; the Lord will draw them. The Shepherd of our soul goes on before us, and we follow Him. We cannot compel, but we must understand that "They also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives [or the bride of Christ, i.e., the church]."

An honest conversation is seasoned with salt or the Spirit of Christ. See how it will glorify God in the day of visitation. When our conversation is salted with the Spirit of Christ, it is purged from all that would offend and from all that would come against Christian principles. When our conversation is seasoned with the Spirit of Christ, it will glorify God in the day of visitation. We read in 1PE 2:12, "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."

This means that in the day of judgment, the Lord will be glorified, if our conversation is honest among the Gentiles. With Daniel, they could find no fault against him except pertaining to his God. His conversation and actions were seasoned with salt; they were salted with fire. Salting our conversation with fire is to cut off everything that offends in our conversation.

Doesn't this run parallel with the tongue which is a world of iniquity? "...setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell," JAM 3:6b. We must remember that the Gentiles are beholding our conversation. The word, conversation, means more than just what you speak. Conversation also means that which traffics your mind. They can see your process of thinking. As a result of your conversation, they see the Spirit of Christ is in all your thinking; they see your thinking is based on Christian principles. The end result is being seasoned with salt.

In TIT 2:7-8 we read, "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." When conversation is seasoned with salt, the tongue, i.e., that world of iniquity, is cut off. Walking in the footsteps of our Saviour is seasoning with salt and taking away the body of sin. The body of sin is crucified by walking in the way of the cross. All this is being the salt of the earth. They behold, or observe, this conversation which is seasoned with salt.

"Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." When you are having a conversation with people who are using vulgar language and abusing God's name, it is already a reproach to them if your conversation is Christlike, even if Christ is not named. They sense instantly that you are not speaking their language. You don't have to hold up a banner that says you are a Christian. If they can't see it, there is no use telling them. They should hear just from your speech that your conversation is seasoned with salt. If your speech doesn't reflect that it is with the Spirit of Christ so they can behold it, there is no use telling them you are a Christian because they won't believe you.

To live peaceably with all men is to season the earth with salt. MAR 9:50 says, "Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another." When we are living in separation of feelings with a Christian (it doesn't matter if it is our husband or wife, sister or brother, or any member of the church) we are not reflecting the Spirit of Christ; we are not being the salt of the earth. "Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another." Christ is our peace.

Frustration is a grievous sin. The Lord Jesus Christ taught us such a beautiful lesson on this in the Garden of Gethsemane. In LUK 22:42 Christ said, "...Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." In that cup Jesus saw that Judas Iscariot was going to betray Him to death. Who was Judas Iscariot? He was one of Jesus' own disciples. Judas was one with whom Jesus walked in sweet company to the House of God. Jesus saw that Judas Iscariot was coming, but when he came, "Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him," MAT 26:50. Jesus saw that the coming of Judas was of the Father's sending, and He felt no frustration. He was in total submission to the will of His Father.

If we are going to be like Christ, we will never be frustrated. Frustration is unbelief. If you are in total submission to God's will, there is no place for frustration because He controls every trial for our good. Not one hair shall fall from our head without His will. We must be peaceable. "Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another."

We can become judgmental and pass judgment on others because we think we know what they are thinking. We think we know the purpose behind their actions and become the judges of their motives; yet, we may be 180 degrees off. By being judgmental, we destroy the peace. If we are able to act without frustration, we are able to keep the peace by being the salt of the earth. Do you know what that means? It means we are going to salt every word and thought with the Spirit of Christ.

Love "thinketh no evil." In love the Lord Jesus Christ looked upon Peter when he stood cursing and swearing. What did that look of love do? It melted Peter's heart. Sometimes a look of love can melt the hardest heart of the bitterest enemy. We must reflect the Spirit of Christ to use salt to keep peace. Using salt to keep peace means purging out every evil thought. Love "thinketh no evil." This is a precious thought.

In 2TI 2:22-24 we read, "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." We must seek peace with those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart. Many have a tendency to judge their neighbour. We have to look within our own heart and follow righteousness, faith, charity, and peace with all those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

This does not mean that we seek this same peace with the world. See the distinction. We have to seek peace with all those who call on the Lord with a pure heart: those who are of the body of Christ. JAM 4:4 says, "...know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." We don't seek peace with the world on the same basis as we do with the body of Christ, but we must live in peace with all men as much as possible.

ROM 12:18 says, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." 2CO 13:11 says, "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you." We shouldn't be declaring war on the world. Living peaceably with all men means that we are not to be in strife with every person of the world just because we don't seek their friendship. We are not to be contentious with the world; we still must live peaceably with all men as much as possible.

To set an example with a Christlike spirit is to season the earth with salt. In 1PE 2:21 we read, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." We are going to suffer shame and loss of the flesh. We will suffer the cutting off of the evil hand and the evil foot. The evil eye will be plucked out, and the tongue which is a world of iniquity will be cut out. We will suffer loss of these things when we follow Christ's example.

"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, [From the standpoint of human reasoning we are going to suffer the loss of all these things.] that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth [His speech was seasoned with salt.]: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously," 1PE 2:21-23.

This blessed example of Christ is seasoning our conversation, and we are thereby becoming the salt of the earth. When we follow the example of Christ, when we are reviled, we revile not again. When people persecute us, we never threaten them; we take it patiently.

One time a judge ruled against me in a most unjust way. Afterward, he came over to shake my hand and to say, "I wanted to make sure that we have no hard feelings." I answered him, "Sir, I will not pass judgment. I will leave that between you and the Lord. I will commit you to Him who judges righteously." The man looked so astounded because he had never heard that before. No one had ever told him that he was going to be called to an accounting.

This is exactly what verse 23 was talking about. We do not become revengeful, but we commit them to Him who judges righteously. V:24 says, "Who his own self bares our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." If we are truly the salt of the earth, we will follow in His footsteps. We will walk in His steps and follow His examples. V:25 says, "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." We will return unto Him as our Bishop and Shepherd. This means that we are going to walk in His footsteps; we will follow His examples. He is the Bishop of our soul, i.e., He is the one who has taught us the Biblical principles by which we are to walk.

FOR OUR THIRD POINT, let's consider how the salt has lost its savor when professed Christians forsake Scriptural principles. This is so important to understand. LUK 14:34 says, "Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savoir, wherewith shall it be seasoned?"

In our fall in Adam, we are cast into the open field in our own blood infected with sin. EZE 16:4 teaches us, "And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water to supple thee; thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all."

We see this in EPH 2:1-3, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, [We were cast out in the open field. We were not washed, and we were not salted. The salt has not been applied until the work of grace is brought in the soul.] fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."

It is only through the transformation of the heart and the mind that the prince of this world will be judged and a person will become the salt of the earth. When the Lord works grace in the heart, the mind is transformed from a sow or a dog into a sheep. This is the only time we will find that we are judging the prince of this world, i.e., Satan is dethroned from the throne of our heart and we enter the kingdom, or service of Christ.

ROM 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." The transforming and renewing of the mind is to come to a complete repentance, turning from the things of this earth.

The salt has lost its savor when professed Christians stray away from Christian principles and return into the service of the prince of this world. It says in 2PE 2:20, "For if after they [professed Christians] have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning."

This verse refers to those who were the salt of the earth, "have[ing] escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," but the salt has lost its savor. They were the salt, and they have lost their savor. MAT 5:13 says, "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." It has lost its value for preserving or seasoning.

Watch what 2PE 2:21 says. "For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them." It is horrible to have knowledge and then sin against it. V:22 continues, "But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."

We have to understand this. Those who are spiritual must restore such a one when they see them backsliding. If they are not restored V:21 says, "...it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them."

If any man's salt has lost its savor, you who are the salt of the earth must restore such a one with Biblical principles. Watch what it says in EZE 33:12. "Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth."

If a person dies in his sin, he will not enter the Kingdom. This is what our text is conveying to us when it speaks about the salt having lost its savor.

These Biblical principles show so clearly how the salt loses its savor. EZE 33:13 says, "When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it."

This is so important to understand. We cannot claim salvation on the basis of the blood of Christ and continue to walk on in sin. When the salt has lost its savor, it is thenceforth good for nothing but to be trodden under the foot of man. It has lost its value. "When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it."

These Biblical principles teach us how those who are the salt of the earth shall deter the decay and season those with salt who have lost their savor. This is the calling upon you and me. If we see those who have lost their savor, we restore such a one.

EZE 33:14-15 says, "Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live." The Biblical principle is that we cannot go on in sin. Sin must become sin. It must be our greatest enemy. We must turn from it and purge it out. We must become the salt of the earth.

So often when the righteous are brought through a trial of their faith, Satan plants those cockatrice eggs in the mind which is the womb of the heart. Those evil thoughts turn the heart into a snake pit. Then we become taken in a fault. We become hateful with bitter thoughts. We start passing judgment upon the other person. We lose sight of what we are doing to ourselves. Those who are spiritual must restore such a one. Those who are spiritual must show the Biblical principles to such a person.

These strongholds, or king serpents, can only be cast down with Biblical principles and prayer. When we are not long-suffering, when we are not kind, when we are offensive and wound our fellow man, then we cannot claim that love dwells in our heart. 1CO 13:4 says, "Charity suffereth long, [Isn't that beautiful? Charity is one-sided, undeserved love!] and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up."

We have to keep examining our heart to see if these elements are there. If they aren't, we must purge out our wrong attitude by the Spirit of Christ through Christian principles, which is the salt. 1CO 13:5 continues, "Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil."

If we claim to have love in our heart, if we claim to love the Lord and have Christian principles, we must examine our heart. Are we thinking evil of any person? Are we easily provoked? Are we seeking our own honor? Are we behaving unseemly? Do we become offensive and wound people? We have to watch for these faults. We all offend in so many ways. It is such a weakness in our human nature.

All Biblical principles center in the law of love. This is so precious. MAT 22:37-39 shows us this law. "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Take notice of the next verse. V:40 says, "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Look at the tremendous Biblical principle contained in this verse.

Every thought, every word, every deed must be measured by those two commandments. We have to ask ourselves if our actions will glorify God or if they will injure our neighbour. We don't primarily think about what our actions will do for us, but what they will do for the name of God. Do our actions cause God's name to be blasphemed, or do they injure our fellow man?

When we speak of a neighbour, we don't necessarily mean a fellow Christian. We may not bring injury upon any man. This commandment is not confined to the household of faith. We must do what we can. We must pray for our enemies. We must loan to them expecting never to receive again. We must do everything we can not to violate those two commandments. "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." The whole gospel principle hinges on the commandment of love.

When every motive in our heart is for the glory of God and the welfare of our neighbour, we are the salt of the earth. "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." All the law and the gospel hang upon them. Every Biblical principle is centered in that law of love.

Therefore brethren, let me leave you with these words from 1CO 13:4-5, "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil."

Amen.

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