Do you remember the story of Sodom? Abraham said to God, “If there are ten righteous men, will you spare the city?” And God said, “Yes.” But He could not spare the city because He could not find ten righteous men.
I do not know how many men there were in Sodom, but I know that the same proportion still applies. Ten righteous men can save a city the size of Sodom. One hundred righteous men can save a city ten times the size of Sodom. One thousand righteous men can save a city one hundred times the size of Sodom. And so on in proportion.
As Christians, we are the defence of our cities, our country. We are the bulwark of any nation. I feel sorry for this earth when the church leaves. There will be no more salt. Then wrath and judgment will be poured out without any limitation or restriction. But while we are here, we are the salt of the earth.
Salt also preserves. In the days before refrigeration, meat was preserved with salt. It kept back corruption. What are we here for? To keep back corruption in all its forms—moral, social, political. As long as we are here, we do this.
Jesus said, “If the salt has lost its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” When the church ceases to fulfil its function as salt, it will be thrown out and trampled underfoot of men. These men may be communists or Nazis or followers of some other “ism” that has not yet come forth on the horizon. But it will be men who will trample underfoot the church that is not fulfilling its role in the world as salt.
What are the things God requires His people to do?
In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God, first of all, says: “My people shall humble themselves.” That is the hardest thing for religious people to do. You hear some people say, “God, make me humble.” God never promised to do that. God said, “Humble yourself.” He did not say, “I will do it for you.” God cannot humble you. God can humiliate you, and He may have to, but the only person who can humble you is you, yourself. Humility must come by an inward act of your will. It cannot come in any other way. If you do not choose to humble yourself, you can be humiliated in the dust but still be as proud as a peacock.
Father, You know how difficult it is for me to humble myself. Please help me make this decision, to bow my head, to listen to You, and to submit to Your sovereignty. Open my eyes to this reality that my presence, because of Your presence in me, is like salt where I live. I pray that your love can freely flow through me, into this world that so much needs You. In the name of Jesus, amen!
