Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. Matthew 5:13 MSG
“God-flavors.” What a thought! That word picture captures something significant about making disciples. We are not here to simply tell people what we believe. Others need to experience something of the character of Jesus through our lives. They should get a true tase of God through us.
Think about it. Salt changes whatever it touches. Nothing remains as it was before salt was added. Disciples of Jesus are to be a powerful presence, not just be present. We are meant to influence, not merely attend. Disciples do far more than attend services and Bible studies. They
actively follow in obvious ways that change the environment. They bring goodness and healing and awaken people’s taste for God. When people encounter mature followers of Jesus, they should taste the flavors of grace, truth, mercy, holiness, compassion, and hope.
Salt works quietly but powerfully. Making disciples is not about force. It’s about flavor. Real and lasting discipleship is relational, patiently lived out over time. It is characterized by kindness, integrity, peace, forgiveness, compassion, perseverance, generosity, and love that make people hungry for more.
Salt must stay distinct and different. Jesus warned about losing our saltiness; blending in. When believers become indistinguishable from the culture around them, they are unable to influence it. Disciple-making enables the “disciple” to genuinely and personally be transformed by Christ.
Salt works through contact. One more time: Making disciples is relational. You cannot disciple from a distance. Jesus lived closely with His disciples. Disciple-making happens through shared life – conversations, meals, serving, praying, struggling, and growing together.
Small amounts matter. Salt does not need to dominate a dish to transform it. An ordinary person living and working faithfully can deeply shape a person and then a family, a church, a workplace, or community.
- Jesus empowered us to influence. The question is not whether we influence people, but what kind of flavors we will awaken in others. God, help me today to be the influence that brings out the God-flavors in the world.