You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. Matthew 5:13
Additional reading: Hebrews 4:12, Acts 2:37, 2 Corinthians 2:14
Numbers 18:19, Leviticus 2:13, Ezekiel 43:24, Colossians 4:6, Mark 9:50
There are two lines of thought in this exhortation by Christ. The first is to understand the gospel as salt with a type of seasoning effect. It is penetrating (Hebrews 4:12), reaches the heart (Acts 2:37), cleanses, preserves from deadness, contains the knowledge of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14), and an everlasting covenant (Numbers 18:19). The sacrifices of those who serve in the ministry of the gospel are a sweet offering to the Lord (Leviticus 2:13).
Having been taught by Christ, the disciples were expected to take the gospel into the world. Themselves being seasoned, the disciples were in turn to be seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6). Unless salt be in them, it cannot be dispersed in the world (Mark 9:50).
The other line of thought is that salt is used to preserve that which is dead. We no longer use salt for preservation, however, before refrigeration, salt was primarily used to preserve meat after an animal was butchered.
The disciples, having been salted with the gospel and grace of Christ, were to act as a preserving force among a world dead in trespasses and sin. Their task was to arrest the corruption in the world by their own purity. Stated differently, the presence of pure and righteous people hinders the devil’s work. The disciples and early apostles rebuked evil and corruption, and thereby hindered its growth and weakened its hold on society.
Are we not to do the same today? Through our communion with Christ, we should be living in such a way to bring the best out of those around us. We recognize when good is done and feel better knowing that there are still good people in the world. Acts of kindness, goodness and righteousness inspire others to do the same.
On the other hand, it is equally true that public figures engaging in corruption and evil acts encourage those in their sphere of influence to do the same. Thus, the saltiness of Christ followers preserves the world from putrefaction, while the absence of the gospel transitions a dead society into a putrefied culture.
Once saltiness is lost, Jesus asks the disciples how salt can be made effective again? This question seems to speak to the power of the gospel. If we are not made righteous by the gospel, can we be made righteous by any other power? If we are not saved from sin through Christ, is there another source of salvation?
Jesus knew no other means for salvation than repentance, and this He taught all who heard His voice.
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