Matthew 5:13-16

"loses its saltiness" is "moranthe" and means "be tainted" and "become foolish." It is translated "foolish" in Romans 1:22 - "although they claimed to be wise they became foolish" and in 1 Corinthians 1:20 - "has not God made foolish the world's wisdom." Salt then speaks of wisdom.

5:11-12 warns of persecution for being a disciple or salt

5:13- warns of tendency to avoid persecution by becoming saltless or becoming foolish in order to fit into the world.

The wise disciple (salt) compared to the foolish (saltless) disciple as described by the eight beatitudes:

Verse	Wise Disciple	Foolish Disciple
5:3	Poor in spirit	Self righteous
5:4	Mourn	Worldly
5:5	Meek	Self-willed
5:6	Righteous	Compromising
5:7	Merciful	Legalistic
5:8	Pure	Corrupt
5:9	Peacemaker	Passive
5:10	Persecuted	Undistinguishable
=	The Salt	Lost Salt

Salt does these things naturally:

1. Adds Flavor - Colossians 4:6 - seasoned with salt, know how to answer
2. Preserves - Colossians 2:20-23
3. Prevents Growth - Deut. 29:23; Judges 9:45; Psalm 107:34; Jeremiah 17:6
4. Causes to float
5. Melts Ice

Options:

Option One - Be a faithful disciple and be persecuted by men

Option Two - Be a foolish disciple and be thrown out and trampled by men

Salt = Wisdom

1. "tasteless" is from moranthe which means foolish

2. Colossians 4:6 "know how to answer everyone"

3. 1 Peter 3:13-17

· The world can not endure without salt

· Water taht is not wet is not water. Salt that is not salty is not salt

· Salt of ancient world was not pure sodium chloride, but a collection of minerals taken from the Dead Sea. It was possible for the sodium chloride to be washed out of the minerals leaving the "salt" saltless

· Now imagine applying the saltless slt to food for flavor or to meat fro preservation

· "earth" is a large sphere of influence

2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 - Options for "the one who now holds him back" are Rome, Paul, Jewish state, Government/Law, Holy Spririt, God, Church, an angel, Holy Spirit in church