Day 77 · Week 11
Passage: Matthew 5:13; Mark 9:50; Titus 2:7–8, 11–14
Memory Verse: Matthew 5:13
Mark 9:50 (KJV)
“Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.”
Jesus' picture of salt brings us back to a simple question: What happens around us because we belong to Him?
The answer should not be that we make ourselves the center of attention.
Salt is valuable because of what it contributes.
A faithful Christian contributes honesty where dishonesty is easy, peace where conflict is growing, compassion where someone is overlooked, courage where compromise is expected, and hope where people are discouraged.
But we cannot manufacture that influence simply by trying harder to look Christian.
Titus says the grace of God teaches us how to live. The same grace that saves us also trains us to reject sin and live differently.
Our influence therefore begins with receiving from Christ before giving to others.
We stay close to Jesus. We listen to His Word. We confess sin. We depend upon His Spirit. Then the character He develops in us begins affecting other people.
Some of that influence may never be noticed by us. A child may remember a parent's prayer years later. A coworker may remember an honest decision. A neighbor may remember unexpected kindness.
Jesus does not ask us to control the results. He asks us to remain faithful salt.
If someone watched our family for a week, what qualities of Jesus would we hope they could see?
Say this week's memory verse together:
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” — Matthew 5:13
Then let each person name one place where they would like Jesus to use their influence for good.
Thank Jesus for placing your family where you can influence others. Ask Him to keep you close to Him and make that influence faithful, gracious, and useful.