Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his flavor, with which shall it be salted? it is thereafter good for nothing… I. Here is Christ's sublime DEFINITION OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE, and of those who compose His Church. The Church exists for the world's sake more than for its own. Christ's disciples are to be saviours of others. II. Is not this the DOCTRINE OF ELECTION as our Saviour understood it? God's people are chosen, not for their own comfort, but to show men the beauty of the Divine life, and to raise them to the same level. III. IT IS QUALITY MORE THAN QUANTITY that does God's work in the world. All history and progress are at bottom the life-story of the chosen few. IV. It should be one great object of our prayer and effort to KEEP UP THE MORAL AND SPIRITUAL STANDARD OF THE ELECT FEW. (J. G. Greenhough, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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