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.
Matthew 5:13 (NIV)
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus used a powerful metaphor to describe His followers: salt of the earth. In ancient times, salt was precious – used for preserving, flavoring, and even as currency. Today, we find ourselves called to be salt in a new kind of world – the digital realm. Our online presence can be the preservative that combats corruption, the flavor that enhances discourse, and the valuable currency of truth in a sea of misinformation.
The Greek word for “salt” here is “halas,” which implies not just the substance, but its function. It’s about impact and influence. In our digital age, this calls us to be more than passive consumers of content, but active influencers for Christ’s kingdom.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the renowned German theologian who stood against Nazi oppression, once said, “The Church is the Church only when it exists for others.” In our digital context, this challenges us to use our online platforms not for self-promotion, but for the benefit of others and the glory of God.
But what does it mean to be salt in the digital world? It’s about bringing out the God-flavors of this world, as Eugene Peterson puts it in The Message. It’s seasoning our online interactions with grace and truth. It’s preserving kindness in a culture of callousness. It’s being a thirst-creating presence that makes others curious about the living water we’ve found in Christ.
However, Jesus warns about salt losing its saltiness. In the digital realm, this could happen through compromise, fear of man, or simply blending in with the crowd. We must be intentional about maintaining our distinct “flavor” as followers of Christ. This doesn’t mean being abrasive or preachy, but it does mean being authentically and unashamedly Christian in our online presence.
Remember, your digital footprint is an extension of your real-life witness. The apostle Paul became “all things to all people” to win some to Christ (1 Corinthians 9:22). In our context, this might mean learning the language of memes, understanding trending topics, or mastering the art of the tweet – all to more effectively sprinkle the salt of the gospel in every corner of the internet.
Godseekers, the digital world is not just a wasteland of trivial information and divisive rhetoric. It’s a field ripe for harvest, desperately in need of the preserving, flavoring influence of Christ-followers. Your posts, comments, and shares can be grains of salt, subtly yet powerfully influencing the world for good. Don’t underestimate the impact of your digital discipleship. With wisdom, creativity, and love, you can truly be the salt of the earth – even in the virtual realm.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me to be salt in this world, including the digital spaces I inhabit. Help me maintain my distinct flavor as Your follower, even as I engage with diverse online communities. Guide me to season my digital interactions with Your grace and truth. May my online presence preserve what is good, enhance meaningful discourse, and create a thirst for You in others. Give me discernment to know when to speak and when to be silent, always seeking to honor You. In Your name, Amen.
Personal Reflection
- In what ways might I be losing my “saltiness” in my online interactions, and how can I reclaim my distinct identity as a follower of Christ?
- How can I use my digital platforms more intentionally to preserve goodness, enhance conversations, and point others to Christ?
Step of Faith
This week, identify one online community or platform where you’re active. Prayerfully consider how you can be “salt” in that specific context. Then, make a conscious effort to engage in a way that brings out the “God-flavors” in that digital space.
