Winsome Witness 4. Overcoming Hate with Love

On September 10, the disunity within the United States of America was highlighted once again by the assassination of Charlie Kirk.  The life of this young husband, father, and founder of Turning Point, USA was taken by an assassin’s bullet while Charlie was engaging in public dialog with college students at Utah Valley University.  Since that day, many who knew Charlie have been honoring him with praise for his bold witness for Jesus Christ and his love for America, and especially for the youth on our college campuses.

When we began this series of blogs on a “Winsome Witness” in July, we discussed our calling as “the salt of the earth” [Part 1 HERE.] and in August, “Being Salt in Controversy” [Part 2 HERE.].  Little did we know that we would be remembering the life and “winsome witness” of Dwayne Frank who went home to Heaven on September 7 [Part 3 HERE.].  And then, three days later, we mourned the assassination of God’s witness for the Gospel, Charlie Kirk.  So, in Part 4, we will consider how the love of God inspires Christ-followers to be “winsome witnesses” of the love of Christ in the face of hate and death.

The Gospel: 
Harsh Truth?
Charlie Kirk was a lover of God, His Word, and everyone he tried to reach with Truth.  Still, many are criticizing Kirk’s approach as having been too harsh and disrespectful.  Granted,  Charlie repeatedly made clear that his primary intention was to present his witness for Christ and the Gospel (“good news”) of salvation in a genuine and encouraging way.  However, his application of the Gospel message to various moral and social issues was not always favorably received by everyone across the diverse political and ethnic landscape of America.   

Charlie would have been the first to admit he was not perfect.  One can find recordings in which, during the heat of the moment, his words appeared inappropriate and may have hurt some of his listeners.  Add to these the snippets of Charlies speeches, often taken out of context and propagated in social media.  Regardless, it is easy to resort to fault-finding to evade a convicting message.  We believe that most of Charlie’s critics who judged his words as “hate speech” did so, not because they have reason to reject Charlie, but because they have not found justification and peace in their relationship to God.  To them in their broken spiritual and emotional state, even loving words of moral truth can appear hurtful and hateful. 

“Good News,
“Hate Speech?”
How can we account for the fact that what Almighty God and His children intend to be a witness for “Good News” is labeled by some as “hate speech?” The history of Christianity according to the Bible account helps us answer this perplexing question.  For example, the Apostle Peter who just days earlier had denied Christ and had run away in fear, suddenly began to boldly proclaim the Gospel of the Cross to the Jews and people of different nations and ethnic groups (Book of Acts, Ch. 2).  Some considered Peter's message as "hate speech." However, about three thousand in the crowd repented of their sin and were saved! 

It is no surprise that the Gospel is considered by many as hate speech.  The Apostle Paul who was hated, persecuted, and eventually martyred for his faith wrote, For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1: 18).  And, within hours of His crucifixion, Jesus prepared His followers with these words (John 15:18-19):  If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.  As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.  That is why the world hates you.

Had Charlie simply preached a more “user-friendly Gospel” that “God is love, and God wants us to be happy in what we choose to do for ourselves,” few would have heard and responded in hate and violence.  But Charlie’s message was like the message of Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 7).  According to Acts 7: 54, when Stephen’s audience heard him say they were disobedient to God, they were enraged and they gnashed their teeth at him. Then, they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him (v. 57).  Finally, they drove Stephen out of the city and stoned him to death. 

Like Stephen, Charlie boldly confronted his listeners and urged them to evaluate their personal beliefs in light of God’s Word.  As we noted in Part 2 of this series [Click HERE to read.], when Christ-followers take a firm stand against immoral or unethical claims or actions, they are acting as the "salt" that preserves our culture against decay.  However, they also risk being misunderstood and even under threat of violence and death.

Murder of God’s Messengers
Ultimately, like so many historic Christian martyrs, and like many more around the world today, Charlie was hated because of the Gospel message he presented.  His message was that God came in human flesh as Jesus Christ to reconcile rebellious, sinful mankind regardless of their socioeconomic status, ethnicity, religion, or political party (John 3: 14-21).  This Jesus lived a sinless life, died in our place as a substitutionary sacrifice for sinners, and rose again from the dead in victory over sin and death.  All who accept Jesus’s death and resurrection by faith and reason as payment for their sin can be saved from eternal separation from God (Romans 10: 8-13).  When a person submits to God in this way and is enlightened by God’s Word through His Spirit, he or she begins to put off the old person and lifestyle.  The Bible describes this transformation in mind, body, and spirit in Galatians 5: 19-23:

Now the deeds of the flesh [the old, sinful nature] are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions,  envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the [new life in the] Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Hatred Is Rooted in Our Hearts
Charlie Kirk recognized that he was engaged in a war, …not against flesh and blood, but against… the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6: 12).”  The weapons, or “flaming darts,” of spiritual darkness include hate, lies, deception, accusation, isolation, doubt, distraction, masquerade, pleasure, unforgiveness, and fear.  If we allow these weapons of Satan to penetrate the spiritual armor God provides and commands us to put on (Ephesians 6: 10-18), our minds become confused about who we really are and who our enemy really is.  Then, we mistakenly turn against others—our brother or sister in Christ, our spouse, our neighbor, our pastor, or our president and other leaders.  Sound familiar?  Sound close to home?

Let’s be honest!  (I’ll admit, I am speaking from experience.)  The inner attitudes and thoughts that I battle are the seeds that could grow into actions that make the daily news—hateful rhetoric, riots, and murder.  James 1: 14-15 describes a progression that occurs when we are “carried away” by our passions which, when they have conceived, give birth to sin which leads to death.  In Matthew 5: 22, we read Jesus’s claim: whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.  Notice that Jesus takes the sixth commandment, “Thou shall not murder,” and goes to the source within the human heart where the underlying sins of pride, hate, and envy are rooted.  Sin within the heart if unchecked leads to hateful speech and even murder.  To this we should cry, “God help us!”  And He will.

Choosing Better Weapons
But God through Christ and His Gospel pleads with us:
“Please don’t think that way.
Turn from your selfish, sinful ways.
They will destroy you. 
I have something better and
I want you to have it because I love you.”

In our culture where hateful hearts, violent rhetoric, guns, knives, and bombs are subjects of our daily news, true Christ-followers have access to three more powerful “weapons”—thankfulness, repentance, and forgiveness.  Each of these “weapons” are necessary if we are to gain victory against our fleshly passions and the flaming darts of spiritual wickedness hurled at us.

Thankfulness is our weapon or prescription against our tendency toward discontent, envy, boasting, and covetousness.  Thankfulness for what God has already provided frees our minds to realize the blessings of freedom and material provisions we have in Christ and in our country; and, for those both living and dead who have made these blessings possible.

Repentance is our second weapon.  When a disposition of fear, envy, or covetousness threatens our outlook, we need to be quick to repent—i.e. to confess (say what God says about) our lack of faith and any sin, and turn from it toward faith in our loving God.  Not easy, but in every circumstance, by prayer …[we are to let our requests] be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, will guard [our] hearts and [our] minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4: 7).

Forgiveness and a forgiving spirit may be the most powerful weapon of all.  It is the pure expression of God’s love, spoken through His Son while nailed to a Roman cross when He said, Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing (Luke 23: 34).  Charlie’s wife, Erika, chose to forgive Tyler Robinson who shot and killed her beloved husband.  Her statement of forgiveness is a powerful testimony and “winsome witness” of God’s love.

Charlie Kirk’s assassination on September 10 escorted him into the presence of an estimated 70 million Christians believed to have been martyred for their faith since the death of Stephen.

Charlie is quoted as saying, “What God wants from me is a life fighting for truth.  I want to be remembered for courage for my faith.”  He certainly fought hard for truth, and we fondly remember him for his outstanding courage and “winsome witness” right up to the moment God took him home to Heaven.

Further Encouragement:
The month of September has seen many challenging events, both encouraging and disheartening.  Thankfully, when our souls become frustrated and fearful, God stands ready with a three-part prescription from His Word.  During a similar time of turmoil in 2019, I shared my basic “three R’s” as an encouragement—not “Readin’, ‘Ritin’, and ‘Rithmetic;” but instead, REPENT, REJOICE, and RECONCILE.   [Read more HERE.]

Winsome Witness 3. Celebrating the Life of Dwayne Frank

I feel like I’m on the front porch of heaven.
I feel that way today.  – Rev. David Graham

Yesterday, I worshiped at Grace Baptist Church, Cedarville, Ohio, our home church for 33 years, until we moved to Wooster, OH, in 2012.  The occasion was the celebration of the life of Dwayne Frank, a dear brother in Christ, and former colleague at Cedarville University.  Dwayne entered heaven and into the embrace of his Savior on September 7, 2025.  As we honored Dwayne’s life so dedicated to His Lord Jesus; indeed, it seemed we were sitting “on the front porch of heaven.”

I first met Dwayne Frank in 1979 when I joined the faculty of (then) Cedarville College.  Dwayne had arrived in Cedarville nearly 20 years earlier, having come as a student in 1956 and then as faculty member in our Education Department, in 1968.  I was privileged at first to work with Dwayne while I taught our science-math education methods course.  My students learned principles of classroom and laboratory teaching through me (I hoped); and then, Dwayne and colleagues guided them in their classroom student teaching experience.

One of Dwayne’s education students, John Hart, named “gentleness” as a fruit of the Spirit that best described his mentor.  John said yesterday, “I caught more than I was taught.”  During his times in Dwayne’s classroom, or traveling with Dwayne on mission in China, or during many times in Dwayne and wife JoAnne’s home, John said by observing Dwayne’s life, he caught how it looks to be a loving husband, father, and servant of others outside his home. 

As a college professor, Dwayne was a gentle servant to his colleagues.  I was privileged to serve on academic committees with Dwayne, and I learned from his wise and soft-spoken service.  Dwayne also loved our local church, and we were blessed by his Spirit-filled leadership of singing in our worship services.  He was a godly example to me and other deacons as a man who loved every opportunity to serve our pastoral staff and our members as a caring deacon.

My friend Dwayne, was a winsome witness through his gentle service in his home, his church, and on campus because he respected and feared his God.  Dwayne’s “fear of God” was a fear of  grieving others by his behavior, and ultimately, grieve the Holy Spirit of God.   His life showed us the meaning of Psalm 128: 1-4:

How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
            Who walks in His ways.
When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,
            You will be happy and it will be well with you.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
            Within your house,
            Your children like olive plants
            Around your table.
Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed
            Who fears the LORD. 

Our LORD has honored Dwayne’s longtime reverent obedience to Him by blessing his and JoAnn’s parenting of their three daughters, Stephanie, Sandra, and Shelly, and making their home a godly haven to all who visited.  During years past and in recent years, Abby and I have enjoyed several refreshing times of fellowship and prayer in Dwayne and JoAnn’s home in Lakeland, FL.  I will never forget the many phone conversations between Dwayne and I which always left me encouraged in my spirit—indeed, as if we had been conversing “on the front porch of Heaven.”  Dwayne had trusted Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross and His resurrection victory over sin and death, and he was long-ready to meet His Savior.

Yesterday, we heard from multiple generations of Dwayne and JoAnn’s family representing six grandchildren and ten grandchildren.  Representatives of each generation shared how Dwayne and JoAnn had shown the aroma of Christ through selfless love for them; and it has been their desire to have godly homes for their families.  Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.

Although we have tried, it is impossible for us to give a deserving tribute to my friend Dwayne.  So, I include a few links for those who wish to hear the Celebration of the Life of Dwayne Frank.
We will close with the promise of our prayers for JoAnn and family, and a prayerful psalm that we hope will be a fitting comfort to each of them:

O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness,
            That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad according to the days You have afflicted us,
            And the years we have seen evil.
Let Your work appear to Your servants
            And Your majesty to their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;
            And confirm for us the work of our hands;
            Yes, confirm the work of our hands.

Links to the Celebration of Dwayne Frank’s Life:

Full Service Online:  Click HERE.
David Carr, son-in-law:  Click HERE.
Greg Frank, nephew:   Click HERE.
Stephanie, daughter:  Click HERE.
John Hart, former student:  Click HERE.
Melvin Frank, brother:  Click HERE.
Paul Jackson, Dwayne’s pastor (1975-1992): Click HERE.
Granddaughters, Jenn & Jessie:  Click HERE.
Dave Carr, representing sons-in-law:  Click HERE.
Bob Beikert & Jeff Beste, leading in worship:   Click HERE.
David Graham, Dwayne’s pastor (1992-2004): Click HERE.

Obituary:  Click HERE.

Dedication:
This blog is dedicated to all its readers who have been reminded of the sting of their own loss, perhaps of a dear husband, wife, child, or a beloved friend.  We hope you have found comfort in the words and songs in honor of Dwayne and for the comfort of his family.  We welcome you to use "Comment" link below for any words of comfort or questions you might have as to how it is that a memorial service can be a "celebration of life" for those who know Christ who takes the sting out of death and the grave (1 Corinthians 15: 55-58).

Read More on "A Winsome Witness"
See Part 4.  "Overcoming Hate with Love," click HERE.

Winsome Witness 2. Being Salt in Controversy

In honor of  Charlie Kirk, we are reposting this blog in which, just days ago, we asked,  “How can a Christ-follower be a pleasant savor in his or her culture while also providing a moral conscience that preserves our culture against moral decline?”  Charlie was the salt and a "pleasant savor" even in the midst of controversy.  We pray for his family and all others who grieve.

You are the salt of the earth;
but if the salt has become tasteless,
how will it be made salty again?
It is good for nothing anymore,
except to be thrown out and trampled
underfoot by men. - Matthew 5: 13

Jesus calls His committed followers “the salt of the Earth.”  He wants His followers to be distinctive and pleasant in conversation and behavior like well-seasoned food is to our taste.  On the other hand, “salting” of meat by adding excess salt preserves the meat by killing the microbes that would otherwise cause spoiling.  When Christ-followers take a firm stand against immoral or unethical claims or actions, they are acting to preserve our culture against decay.

Jesus’s pronouncement also comes with a stern warning.  Christ-followers who allow their faith to be compromised and become lukewarm will become tasteless and their preserving witness in the culture will be dulled.  Like salt that is contaminated with impurities, a compromised Christian’s witness is “good for nothing anymore.”  It has become tasteless and of no value in preservation against cultural decline.

We discussed these principles in Christ’s teaching on “Salt” in Part 1 of “Winsome Witness.”  [Click HERE to read.]  But the question remains, “How can a Christ-follower be a pleasant savor in his or her culture while also providing a moral conscience that preserves our culture against moral decline?”

Using Too Much Salt
According to unconfirmed sources, after the Romans conquered Carthage during the Third Punic War (149–146 BCE), they plowed excess salt into the fields of Carthage to curse their soils and prevent future settlement.  (Excess salt disrupts the ability of most plants to absorb water.) The very substance that can add a pleasant savor can also be a destructive agent, even a curse, to human dialog and relationships when we become careless with our words and behavior.  And, there are plenty of issues in our culture that can cause us to be defensive and divided.

Listed below are a few of the major issues over which America is currently divided.  One glance at this list and you may agree that any one of these issues is ripe for disagreement and debate.  Admittedly, we have been guilty on several occasions of responding to others carelessly or even harshly in disagreements.  We were “over-salting the soil” which otherwise might have produced a crop of good will and understanding for the glory of God.  If we can agree that it is virtuous to avoid conflict in favor of respectful dialog, how can we acquire this virtue?

Salting Sparingly
In our culture, it is virtually impossible to develop and sustain a close relationship with anyone without encountering differences of opinion.  So, how can we avoid alienating others with whom we disagree, especially when we believe our position is the right one?  

What follows are considerations we are trying to implement in conversations involving controversial issues.  We welcome reader insights [See "Comment" link below.]  To illustrate, suppose you and a friend have just received news of a tragic murder in Kentucky allegedly committed by an illegal migrant.  [See brief summary below, and read more HERE.] 

After reading the report of this murder, what thoughts and emotions does it stir in you?  How would you need to discipline yourself to foster a rational and polite discussion with a friend or colleague who might have a different social and political viewpoint?  Here are some considerations which are rooted in the foundation we presented in “Winsome Witness,” Part 1 [Click HERE.]:

1.  Guard Your Heart:  Before speaking, we should ask ourselves, “What is my purpose in entering into a conversation that will be charged with moral and political implications?  Is it my goal simply to win a debate and gain power or prestige?  Or, instead, will I aim for understanding and peace, led by the Spirit of Christ, the Prince of Peace?

2.  Watch Your Tongue; Open Your Ears:  If our spirit and our intentions are aligned with God’s Spirit, then our tongues will follow; for our mouth speaks from that which fills the heart (Luke 6: 45). 

It is easy to unleash a sharp tongue or rapidly tap out a text message on social media.  But James, the half-brother of Jesus challenges us to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God (James 1: 19b-20).  James suggests that we learn to listen politely before we speak—wise counsel!

3.  Establish Mutual Respect:  Mutual respect is essential for all enduring relationships.  As mutual respect grows, we can be less restrained in dealing with potentially controversial topics.  Once a respectful dialog is established, it is likely that a thoughtful analysis of the issue will follow.  There is a good chance of either reaching agreement; or if necessary, politely agreeing to disagree.

4.  Recognize Differences in Worldview:  Disagreements often point to differences in our worldview.  Our worldview is an internally coherent and consistent framework or lens through which we can view, understand, and relate to the world around us.  [Read more HERE.]  If our worldviews differ, we may each be reasoning logically, but because our “lenses” through which we view the world differ, we are each reasoning from a very different starting point.  Here again, we may need to agree to disagree based on mutual respect.

5.  Analyze the Issue Carefully:  Different worldviews may cause each of us to react differently to an event like the murder of 15-year-old Luis Lopez.  Then, there may be differences in how the news media report the event.  Some news sources may not emphasize the fact that this teen was murdered while defending his mother from an assault by an illegal migrant.  Also, differences in personality can influence how we respond to this news.  Some of us will be influenced more emotionally, while others will take a more analytical approach.  Then, we must factor in our past experiences, political affiliation, philosophy of governance, and views on the importance of the nuclear family, moral upbringing, law and order, and due process of law.  A calm, rational dialog will be necessary to identify these variables and consider their importance in a respectful manner. 

Given the potentially controversial nature of the issues surrounding the murder of Luis Lopez, we hope this case can illustrate how we might apply the above five considerations to establish a polite and constructive conversation.  Table 2 below offers conversation points we might use to discuss issues relating to this murder case in the context of “Immigration Policy and Citizenship” noted in Table 1.  We hope this table will also apply in discussion of other potentially divisive issues.

Salt, Mediators, and Peacemakers
We began this blog by asking how a Christ-follower can be a pleasant savor in his or her culture while also providing a moral conscience in the midst of cultural decline.  We believe the answer to both is to radiate the sweetness of character and winsome behavior of Christ.  This means that rather than simply winning arguments we must aim toward winning souls for Christ.  Jesus came as God in human form and became a servant even to the point of death on a Roman cross.  Then, He rose again to sit at the right hand of God and now serves as our Savior and Mediator between a Holy God and sinful humankind.  When we confess our sin and surrender our lives to Christ, He serves as our Mediator and settles the debt caused by our sins against God.  We become one in Him when we are baptized into Him as Romans 6: 3-4 states.

Being made one with Christ and being Spirit-filled ought to inspire us to be mediators and peacemakers.  Michael Zeytoonian, Director of the Dispute Resolution Counsel, relates conflict resolution to the role of Christ as our Mediator when he writes:

“There is this ‘place of one’ in every dispute and it offers the most complete resolution. It is different for each team of rivals and each situation.  In order to fulfill the law, the Mediator’s higher purpose is to transform the minds of the two sides, so that they can go beyond just settling, to find, or perhaps rediscover, their “place of one.”  [Read more HERE.]

All of this sounds good.  But is it possible in our divided nation and world?  The Scriptures do not gloss over the difficulty we will face.  Jesus said, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5: 9-10).  Just a few verses after this statement (v. 13), Jesus said to His followers, “you are the salt of the Earth.  He made both claims in the context of a troubled world about which He later said, These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world (John 16: 33).”

Yielding for a Greater Gain
It is clear from the teachings of Jesus that although we are to be “salt” that produces a pleasant savor in conversations with others, we will not always expect a kind response.  The most respectful words and Christ-like witness may be met with rejection and even outright persecution as was experienced by the prophets (Matthew 5: 11-12).  Our human reaction is often to press beyond respectful limits to “prove our point” or “settle accounts” or “level the playing field.” We are tempted to act as if the equity sought by many in our culture is within our grasp.  But it is better to “lose” a debate and radiate the character of Christ who while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously… (1 Peter 2: 23).  Jesus entrusted Himself to His Father because He remembered, according to Psalm 96: 10, The LORD reigns; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.

Today, many Christ-followers, some of whom we know, are suffering dearly for their faith.  Our prayer as we close is that our persecuted brethren and all of us who love Jesus Christ will find comfort in the balanced teaching of the Apostle Peter:

Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?  But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.  For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.  For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; -- 1 Peter 3: 13-18

Questions for Readers:
What are we missing?  Or misunderstanding?
What do you find most difficult when you are having a conversation that approaches a controversial topic? 
What advice can you offer based on your experience?
Please use the "Comment" link below or e-mail to silviusj@gmail.com

Read More on "A Winsome Witness"
Read Part 3, "Celebrating the Life of Dwayne Frank," click HERE.

A Winsome Witness: 1. Proper Salting

“Yummy!  This is very tasty!”
“However, it may need just a pinch of salt.”

Most of us have a favorite dish, one that we find enjoyable, especially when it is seasoned to our liking.  But can we agree, there is something even more enjoyable than well prepared food?  We love the blessing of “fitly spoken words”-- a warm cheerful greeting, an assuring facial expression, or gracious words of comfort.  Savoring the joy of such warm encounters encourages our faith and renews our purpose for living.

On the other hand, many of us find it enjoyable to be givers of timely words of encouragement.  What a blessing it is to us when we can lift up a troubled soul and serve them with a taste of hope from God’s Word.

You ARE “the Salt of the Earth”
Jesus gave a choice title for those of us who, by faith, have become members of His Body, the Church.  He said, “You are the salt of the Earth (Matthew 5: 13).”  Notice that Jesus didn’t command His Church to BE “the salt of the Earth.”  Instead, when we obey Christ’s call as members of His Body, we ARE the salt of the Earth.  But what did Jesus mean by calling His disciples “the salt of the Earth?”

Surprising Properties of Salt:  By examining the physical properties and chemical nature of common “table salt,” we can appreciate why Jesus chose to call His Church “the salt of the Earth.”  Although chemists list many different kinds of salts, for our purposes, we will use the term “salt” to mean common “table salt,” or sodium chloride, symbolized by “NaCl.”  This form of salt is very abundant on Earth where it is often mined from salt deposits.  In addition, our vast oceans contain an average of 3.5% sodium chloride.  In fact, evaporation of ocean water also helps meet our demands for salt.

We usually think of salt as a safe and tame crystalline substance that, when added to our food in appropriate amounts, amazingly enhances the flavor.  But there is absolutely nothing safe and tame about the chemical formation of sodium chloride!

Sodium chloride is formed when atoms of sodium (Na) chemically react with chlorine gas (Cl₂) as shown in the photo of the reaction in progress.  Sodium is a soft, silvery-white metal that can explode into flame, especially when it comes into contact with reactive substances like chlorine gas.  And, chlorine gas is a poisonous, yellowish gas with an odor similar to Chlorox®.  Think of it!  Our edible table salt is formed through a violent chemical reaction between two very reactive substances—metallic sodium and poisonous chlorine gas.  The chemical shorthand of the reaction does not show that bursts of light and heat energy are given off when sodium chloride is formed.  To watch a video of the explosive reaction, click HERE.

Amazingly, all of this “fireworks” involves the transfer of one tiny electron (negative charge) from each sodium atom (Na) to a chlorine atom (Cl), resulting in a sodium ion (Na⁺) and a chloride ion (Cl^-).  These two oppositely charged ions can combine like opposite poles of a bar magnet to form NaCl.  When these ions combine with many other Na⁺ and Cl^- ions, they form a very orderly lattice work, visible as the white crystalline nature of table salt as it appears in our salt shakers.

As we noted earlier, Jesus calls His Church “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5: 13).  By this He meant that those who are committed to follow His teachings in the power of His Holy Spirit could not help but add a pleasant “seasoning” both within the assembly of believers and toward the surrounding culture.  But Jesus may have had more benefits in mind when He gave this title.  Although we will risk going beyond what Jesus intended, what follows are several applications that we hope are consistent with the biblical narrative:

Proper seasoning with salt during cooking enhances the flavor.  But too much salt can make our food inedible.  Our speech ought to be timely and appropriate, and if possible, reflect the character of Christ.  Just as properly seasoned food should not taste like salt, so also when our speech is “seasoned with salt” we should not be elevating ourselves; but instead, we ought to be “adorning the Gospel” of Christ. by the manner in which we speak and act (Titus 2: 10). 

Proverbs 25: 11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”  According to the Berean Study Bible, the writer is teaching us that when we speak words that are timely and appropriate (“fitly spoken”), they are precious because they promote peace, healing, and beauty.  Such words are pleasing to the ears just as well-crafted gold ornaments placed in silver are a delight to our eyes. 
Prayer:  Father God, help me to love your Word and to allow its living, powerful action within me to produce words spoken fitly in time and place like salt adding flavor to well prepared food.   Help me to image the character of Christ so that others will want to taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34: 8). Amen.

“Blessed are the gentle (meek),” Jesus said (Matthew 5: 5).  Recall that sodium metal is dangerous to handle; and, breathing chlorine can endanger our skin and destroy our respiratory systems.  And when they react chemically to form salt (NaCl), considerable “fireworks” are produced.  Jesus, the Creator of the universe, knows all about the violent chemistry that forms salt.  He also knows what is in the heart of every man and woman, boy and girl; namely, a sin nature that can be very explosive and toxic. 

Jesus called two sons of Zebedee, James and John, to be among His twelve disciples.  Both men grew to love Jesus; especially John who became known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13: 23).  Yet, Jesus had to restrain both James and John when they wanted to call down fire upon several Samaritans who had shown disrespect toward Jesus (Luke 9: 51-56).  After this, Jesus called James and John “the sons of thunder.”  We too, may have strong convictions that can explode into harsh words and behavior.  We can only be the salt of the Earth if we exercise the spiritual fruit of peace, patience, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5: 22-23).  Like sodium chloride, we have a violent history and a tendency to explode.  Only when we yield to the Spirit in us can we be the salt Jesus desires as we produce the fruit of His gentleness. 
Prayer:  Lord Jesus, you are my meek and gentle example as shown by your behavior.  Help me to respond like you did, even when you were mistreated verbally and physically.  Help me to yield to your Spirit, the Spirit of Christ who lives within me, to produce the fruit of your gentleness and self-control.  Amen.

The Church is a Preservative.  Before the days of refrigeration, meat and other foods could be preserved by salt curing.  Salt curing applies the principle of osmosis to draw water out of the meat and the cells of any microbes that would otherwise grow on the meat and cause spoilage.  Likewise, Christ-followers are “salt of the Earth” when their speech and actions present a purifying and preserving effect on those around them.  In a culture beset by moral and spiritual decay, Christ calls and equips His followers to be a preservative against cultural decay. 
Prayer:  Father, help me to pursue your holiness and purity lest I be like “salt that becomes tasteless… [and is] no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men (Matthew 5: 13b).”

Peacemakers dissolve tension between people.  This truth reminds us of another amazing property of salt.  We have all seen salt crystals disappear when they dissolve in water.  Water molecules dislodge and separate the Na⁺ and Cl^- ions from the salt crystal lattice. This is an amazing feat considering that salt crystals will not melt unless heated to 1474^oF (801^oC)!  Like an obstinate, hard-hearted person who is combative or difficult to befriend, NaCl cannot be “melted” without a great expenditure of heat energy.  Meanwhile, simply adding water to salt can easily dissolve the hard crystals. Water molecules surround each Na+ and Cl- ion to form hydration shells that coat the ions and keep them from precipitating out.

No doubt you have used a saline solution of dilute sodium chloride in water for dry eyes, to store your contact lenses, or for nasal irrigation.  Saline is also given by injection or intravenously and is used to clean wounds.  Again, given the dangerous properties of sodium and chlorine, it is interesting that a sodium chloride solution is used in contact with our most delicate tissues to bring soothing relief. 
Prayer:   Jesus, Prince of Peace, help me to be a peacemaker.  When I encounter a head-hearted person who is brash and impolite, help me to avoid speech that “raises the temperature” of our conversation.  Instead, help my words to dissolve the tension just as water melts and dissolves the hard salt crystals and creates a soothing saline solution.

Being “Salt” from the Heart
It is obvious that even our favorite dish must be properly seasoned to be pleasant to our taste.  The human tongue has been created with an amazing capacity for precise detection of various tastes.  According to researchers, the human tongue can detect at least five different tastes.  In addition to salt and sweet, we can taste sour, bitter, and savory (umami).

Our tongues contain tiny bumps on the surface called papillae.  Within each papilla are hundreds of taste buds.  And, within each taste bud, there are from 50 to 100 chemoreceptor cells that help us taste food and beverages.  The chemoreceptor cells detect and translate chemical stimuli into neurological signals that convey the type of taste and intensity to the brain.  Initially, scientists believed that each of the five tastes were detected by a specific region of the tongue which they carefully mapped (see diagram on right).  However, more recently there is evidence that each of the five tastes are detected by multiple locations on the tongue.

In addition to enabling us to taste and enjoy food, our tongues also aid in chewing and swallowing food.  And, relevant to this blog, our tongues enable us to speak in words and sentences.  According to the Word of God, the quality of our speech determines the degree to which we can be “salt of the Earth.”  The Apostle Paul gave us a description of a major part of our function as “salt of the Earth:” 

Let your speech always be with grace,
as though seasoned with salt,
so that you will know
how you should respond to each person.
                                    -- Colossians 4: 6

Just think about this for a moment.  Do we realize that Jesus Christ, the Creator of our tongues, our sense of taste, and our ability to swallow food, and our ability to speak in words and sentences also calls us “the salt of the Earth.” Indeed, we are the salt when we “speak with grace” so that our words will be as food well-seasoned with salt.  Amazing!  With our tongue we can taste and enjoy food that is well seasoned with salt; and, with our tongue we can also speak words that bless others like food well-seasoned with salt.

But how can we “speak with grace” when we all know from experience that our tongue can be as James describes it, untamable and “a restless evil and full of deadly poison” (James 3: 8).  James continues:  Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs?  Nor can salt water produce fresh (vv. 11-12).  Each of these contrasts suggest that the words from our tongue, whether gracious or otherwise, are determined by something deeper than the tongue per se.  Jesus explained how it is our heart, or our character, that governs our words and actions (see text box above).

Responding to Our Calling
If you are a Christ-follower, having been born again by faith in His deity, death, and resurrection to defeat sin and death, you too have a high calling.  “You are the salt of the Earth,” said Jesus (Matthew 5: 13).  As Christ-followers, we are called to be witnesses to the Gospel (“Good News”) by our well-seasoned conversation and acts of kindness.  Such a witness will have a purifying, preserving, and soothing effect as appropriate on our morally decaying culture. 

But we will only retain proper saltiness and the purity of it if we continually surrender our hearts and “present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God…and do not allow ourselves to be conformed to this world [system of thought], but allow ourselves to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12: 1-2).”

I hope it has become apparent from this blog that I sense a continual need to submit to God so that He can work in my heart and in my speech.  I want my words and my actions to be the right seasoning of salt for a “yummy experience” so others will want to “taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34: 8).”  It’s all about Him, not about me, even if it takes a long time during which my saltiness is rejected.  Hopefully, this blog has provided valuable salt in the right number of “pinches” to make it worthy and helpful for God’s Spirit to use it in your life. 

Read More on "A Winsome Witness"
Read Part 2, "Being Salt in Controversy," click HERE.

Our Wedding Anniversary Celebration

This weekend, my wife Abby and I celebrate our 56^th wedding anniversary.  We have exchanged our love for each other in words and actions throughout this past week.  But whatever good and lovely that has been a part of our marriage could not have originated in us alone.

When we exchanged our wedding vows in 1969, little did we know two major facts about marriage.  First, we underestimated the vast range of experiences we would encounter.  On the one hand, we’ve enjoyed the mountaintop experiences of enjoying each other’s company in so many blessed occasions.  We were blessed with two children, Bradley and Melinda, and privileged to enjoy their development and accomplishments along with many more blessings that clearly are gifts from the hand of our God.

On the other hand, we have experienced the valleys of trial that have challenged our faith and the stability and integrity of our marriage.  We are two imperfect people who have often forgotten, and still forget, that among faith, hope, and love, the greatest of these is love.  Agape love finds its only source in God as demonstrated by His Son, Jesus Christ, who died on a Roman cross in our place.  “Not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice to take away our sins” (1 John 4: 10).

Through all of our mountaintops of triumph and joy, and our valleys of trial and grief, our cause for celebration of our 56^th anniversary lies in our Heavenly Father, our Redeemer and Sustainer.  And, although we cannot see Him, we have experienced His enabling love extended through the love and support of our family, the fellowship we have experienced within the church, the Body of Christ; and through the many friends we have relied upon over the years. 

As we thank God for our marriage and celebrate your part in our lives, we have been enjoying time to look over photos that remind us of our many blessings over the years.  We wanted to share a few of the pics that represent some of our wedding anniversary highlights.  Thank you for your love and encouragement, and remember, you are a part of our celebration.

15^th  Wedding
Anniversary,  

1984

25^th  Wedding
Anniversary,  

1994

34th Wedding
Anniversary,  

2003 

40th Wedding
Anniversary,  

2009

46^th  Wedding
Anniversary,  

2015

       50^th  Wedding Anniversary,  Grand Tetons and Yellowstone Nat. Parks, 2019

           Celebrating the marriage
           of our grandson Caleb and
           granddaughter by marriage, Soni.

           August, 2019

55th Wedding 

Anniversary,

2024

When Is Your Anniversary:
Thank you for your interest in our story.  If you are married, we invite you to share your anniversary and thoughts regarding your  journey.  We would be just as glad to hear from you who are singles.  Please use the "Comment" link below or write us at silviusj@gmail.com

Related Blog Article:
As we have reflected on the blessings and trials of marriage and life in general, we've been using the metaphor of "the foothold."  It is important that we gain a good foothold in order to secure "firm footing" in our lives.   For more on this subject and its spiritual implications, click HERE.