Charles Glenn Hensley III English 1301 September 25, 2011

Outline Thesis: Therefore, the Salt of the Earth provides an accurate description of Christians because both preserve, persevere, and are purposed. I. Introduction II. Salt and Christians preserve III. Salt and Christians persevere IV. Salt and Christians have a purpose V. Conclusion

Salt for All

9,799 tons of salt make up the ocean. Approximately 6,928,198,253 people live on Earth. Normally salt and people, more specifically Christians, do not get referred to as similar, or even discussed in the same topic. However, the bible uses salt to describe Christians. Both salt and Christians can be used to preserve. Also, both Christians and salt exist and persevere in spite of appearances. Finally, both Christians and salt have no use if they do not intend to fulfill their purpose. Therefore, the Salt of the Earth provides an accurate description of Christians because both preserve, persevere, and are purposed. The bible uses salt to describe Christians because both act as preservatives. Ye are the salt of the earth (Mathew 5:13 KJV). Salt makes food palatable and preserves from petrifaction. Christians also, by Godly moral instruction and behavior, potentially keeps the world from moral decay. For example, by sharing Gods love and forgiveness others learn to forgive and love as well. Thus, Christians help preserve society just as salt preserves food. In addition to preservation, both salt and Christians persevere. One bible commentary discusses a phenomenon in which salt that has been exposed to the elements may indeed lose its saltiness; however, the salt that remains protected and nearest to the rock maintains its saltiness

(biblos.com). Interestingly enough, the bible frequently refers to Christ as the rock of salvation. Thus, Christians who remain nearest to the rock, meaning Christ, preserve their flavor as opposed to those who succumb to the world. Not only do salt and Christians persevere, they also have a distinct and inherent purpose. Salt has long been useful to man as a flavoring and preservative. However, as alluded to previously, salt may lose its saltiness due to dilution in water or a chemical reaction that changes its composition, making it unable to fulfill its purpose, useless, and good only for being thrown out and trampled underfoot. Likewise, ineffective Christians, or those who have lost their potential to either flavor or preserve, consequently abate their value in the kingdom of God. Therefore, Christians, like salt that has lost its saltiness, fail to fulfill the innate purpose for which they exist. Clearly, the reference made in the bible of salt to Christians speaks strongly of their shared attributes for preservation, perseverance, and purpose. In using this simple illustration, God teaches his children to be diligent and intentional in their daily living, or else risk losing the bane of their existence. In the words of Nelson Mandela, Let there be salt for all.