The Salt of the Covenant: God's Influence In Your Life

Mark 9:49 “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”

Leviticus 2:12 As for the offering of the firstfruits, you shall offer them to the Lord, but they shall not be burned on the altar for a sweet aroma. 13 And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.

There are many ways to think about covenant. One of the most impactful and personal ways to understand covenant Is from the perspective of influence. Influence is defined as: the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something.

We’ve all benefited from being influenced by others. Write down now the names of the 3-5 people who have influenced you, who had an effect on your character, development, and behavior. There’re a lot of people who want something from you, but there are fewer people who want to put something in you. 

The measure of influence is not what people get you to do for them, but what they do for you. I’m not talking about how people make us feel, but what they actually do. Jesus said, “I came to serve not to be served.”

Our life is shaped by God and people who have served us. That service towards us has resulted in a shape and a lifestyle that honors God, reflects the fruit of God’s grace within us. Your S.H.A.P.E. is:

Spiritual gifts (What God put inside of you) 

Heart (Motivation and passion)

Abilities (Skills you have learned and gained)

Personality (Your personal style)

Experiences (Key moments and events in life)

If we prioritized that list of those who have influenced us, God and His resources, including His church, is at the top of the list for believers in Christ.

Influence does not happen in a void or a vacuum. Influence happens in God ordained moments and encounters.  Cooking ingredients left alone do not become anything. But ingredients in the hands of a chef become a wonderful meal or dessert.

Based on Scripture and historical context, salt represents “influence.” Salt influences what it touches. Salt is influential in its effect. When you see the word salt, think about influence or an influencing agent.

The spirit of the instruction in Leviticus: “You shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering.”.

The idea is: Be sure that the offerings your make and your life do not lack God’s influence.