Question about Matthew 5:13 ("You are the salt of the earth")

[OkieAllDay]

It says that "If salt shall lose it saltiness how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything (not just not good for some things, but ANYTHING), but to be thrown out (used with language for hell) and trampled under people's feet (obviously language of judgment).

This seems to be a verse that could be used in support of conditional salvation and against once saved, always saved. Agree, disagree?

 

[HTacianas]

It says that "If salt shall lose it saltiness how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything (not just not good for some things, but ANYTHING), but to be thrown out (used with language for hell) and trampled under people's feet (obviously language of judgment).

This seems to be a verse that could be used in support of conditional salvation and against once saved, always saved. Agree, disagree?

The short answer is yes. It's an old saying but really has no meaning. Salt never loses it's saltiness. It remains the same. But the saying is used to describe a person whose use has evaporated. The new testament is filled with warnings against gross sin and falling away.

 

[Stephen3141]

It says that "If salt shall lose it saltiness how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything (not just not good for some things, but ANYTHING), but to be thrown out (used with language for hell) and trampled under people's feet (obviously language of judgment).

This seems to be a verse that could be used in support of conditional salvation and against once saved, always saved. Agree, disagree?

Yes.

 

[Clare73]

Yes.

If the professing church (salt) loses its saltiness (holiness), it will be no longer be good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by the world.

 

[Sir Joseph]

It says that "If salt shall lose it saltiness how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything (not just not good for some things, but ANYTHING), but to be thrown out (used with language for hell) and trampled under people's feet (obviously language of judgment).

This seems to be a verse that could be used in support of conditional salvation and against once saved, always saved. Agree, disagree?

I agree that such a verse could be used to justify a faith plus works salvation doctrine, but such an interpretation is not necessary.

The whole world is full of religions that teach salvation by faith and works, or in some cases works alone. Christianity is the one extraordinary exception that teaches salvation by faith alone in Jesus' work on the cross. I understand why certain churches reject this message of Good News, but I don't understand why individuals embrace it since it's a proven formula for failure.

While there are certain passages in the Bible that can be used to justify a works based salvation (in James particularly), a careful reading in context can also discount such an interpretation. On the other hand, there are many more Bible passages that clearly teach salvation by faith and grace alone. In fact, one third of the New Testament from Paul is consistently expressing this message. I recognize that Churches or people are free to seek or maintain their salvation by their own works and efforts, but that's not the Good News or Gospel message of the New Testament. It's not Christianity.

 

[anetazo]

Those who teach tradition of men and false doctrine. Ephesians chapter 5, Expose the fruits of darkness. Jesus hates false teachings. John chapter 15, A dead branch is good for the fire. Those who have no salt, or false brethren. Thier going to hell. Get the picture. Teach sound doctrine. Tell the Truth.

 

[oikonomia]

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt has become tasteless, with what shall it be salted? It is no longer good for anything except to be cast out and trampled underfoot by men. (Matt. 5:13)

Therefore salt is good; but if even the salt becomes tasteless, with what will its saltiness be restored?
It is fit neither for the land nor for the manure pile; they will throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.(luke 14:34,35)

The salt that has lost its salting function is the Christian who has no effect on arresting the degradation of the world.
He has rather become like the degraded world around him.
Salt preserves the meat (humanity) from complete rotteness, at least slowing the process.

Such defeated chronically worldly Christians are -

1.) Not fit for the earth- "It is fit neither for the land" (Luke 14:35; Matt. 5:13)

2.) Not fit for eternal punishment -"nor for the manure pile;" (Luke 14:35)
"It is no longer good for anything" (Matt. 5:13)

3.) Disrespected by others - "trampled underfoot by men" (Matt. 5:13)

4.)The angels will throw such out somewhere not damnation and not used for the earth. - "they will throw it out" (Luke 14:35)

I would teach that this is dispensational discipline, like the Christian who is saved yet suffers loss,
not being rewarded but being eternally saved.

First Corinthians 3:14,15 - If anyone’s work which he has built upon the foundation remains, he will receive a reward;
If anyone’s work is consumed, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

 

[FireDragon76]

The short answer is yes. It's an old saying but really has no meaning. Salt never loses it's saltiness. It remains the same. But the saying is used to describe a person whose use has evaporated. The new testament is filled with warnings against gross sin and falling away.

Salt was used for more than cooking in the ancient world. Sometimes it would be mixed with other things, then would have to be thrown out as trash later as it couldn't be consumed.

This is Jesus making an appeal to purity. I don't think he's laying down any kind of systematic theology, just laying down an aspirational ideal.

 

[Stephen3141]

It says that "If salt shall lose it saltiness how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything (not just not good for some things, but ANYTHING), but to be thrown out (used with language for hell) and trampled under people's feet (obviously language of judgment).

This seems to be a verse that could be used in support of conditional salvation and against once saved, always saved. Agree, disagree?

I agree.

 

[Clare73]

"It says that "If salt shall lose it saltiness how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything (not just not good for some things, but ANYTHING), but to be thrown out (used with language for hell) and trampled under people's feet (obviously language of judgment).

This seems to be a verse that could be used in support of conditional salvation and against once saved, always saved. Agree, disagree?

It's not about salvation, it's about grace.
"You are the salt of the earth. If salt loses its saltiness. . ." (Mt 5:13)

"You" is the church.
"Salt" represents grace, where salt
penetrates - grace penetrates to the level of our heart and motive, changing them,
retards corruption - grace transforms our corruption,
aids healing - grace heals our sin (1 Pe 2:24), see 2 Kgs 2:20-22, and
makes food pleasing and acceptable - we are unacceptable to God without his grace.

Col 4:6 - "Let your conversation be always full of grace (no corruption), seasoned with salt (which retards corruption)."

Mt 5:13 - "You are the salt of the earth (and the decaying earth needs salt). But if 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 by men."

If the professing church (salt) loses its saltiness (holiness), it will no longer be good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled on by the world.

Mk 5:49-50 - "Everyone will be salted (made holy) with fire (of refining). . .
Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with each other."

Grace retards our corruptions (the source of our conflicts, Jas 4:1) and makes us peaceable.

 

[oikonomia]

It says that "If salt shall lose it saltiness how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything (not just not good for some things, but ANYTHING), but to be thrown out (used with language for hell) and trampled under people's feet (obviously language of judgment).

This seems to be a verse that could be used in support of conditional salvation and against once saved, always saved. Agree, disagree?

Disagree. Not all judgment need be eternal.

Many people believe that God has no other way to punish except eternal perdition.
The NT to them is very binary. Ie. Either you are saved or you are damned.

But First Corinthains 3:14,15 proves that one who is saved may temporarily suffer loss following the second coming of Christ when He
He examines His servants for reward or lack thereof in the next age. The next age is the millennial kingdom and not the eternal age.

If anyone’s work which he has built upon the foundation remains, he will receive a reward;
If anyone’s work is consumed, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

The phrase "suffer loss" is undefined and can include a wide scope of possibilities short of not being saved.

A earthly judge has great latitude in administering discipline to an offender short of the death penalty.
The judge may fine someone, make them do community service, or do time in jail.

Why would we think the Righteous Judge of all the earth is less wise?
Short of taking away a wayward son's eternal redemption Jesus as the Righteous Judge has
at His disposal a wide scope of remedies of varying seriousness to adjust His child.

he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Still being saved, the servant needing discipline can be dealt with by the Lord to cause him to "suffer loss."

 

[com7fy8]

It says that "If salt shall lose it saltiness how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything (not just not good for some things, but ANYTHING), but to be thrown out (used with language for hell) and trampled under people's feet (obviously language of judgment).

This seems to be a verse that could be used in support of conditional salvation and against once saved, always saved. Agree, disagree?

Yes, this can be used to support that someone can lose one's salvation.

But - - -

What makes someone truly salty? Does God give a child of His what is corruptible and can be lost??

"rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:4)

God's love in us (Romans 5:5, 1 John 4:17) is gentle and quiet in His almighty power to keep us.

So, then, if something can be corrupted and thrown out, what is it? If God changes a person, the person is changed into what is incorruptible in our character. You can't lose what God has done >

"He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (in Philippians 1:6)

"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17)

If love has been perfected in us so that we are "as He is" > how can Jesus lose Himself??

What is "incorruptible" and can spread to change another person?

"rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:4)

If God saves a person and changes him or her into character having what is incorruptible, how can this be lost?

"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." (Luke 9:23)

If you have denied yourself which includes your own corruptible free will, and if you have trusted Jesus to save you and make you a new person in His freedom . . . I don't think Jesus will lose someone who has been given to Him and is changing more and more into how He is.

"But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:13)

"But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him." (1 Corinthians 6:17)