Have you ever had a great recipe that you made so often that you thought you knew it by memory?  But, then you made it one day and forgot a small, but important ingredient? Have you ever forgotten salt?  What a difference it makes.  Such a small thing, usually a teaspoon or less in most recipes, but it can turn a bland, uninteresting entrée into a wonderful experience.  I believe that God has been showing me an ingredient many of His people have been forgetting to add to their “witnessing recipe”, and that is living a lifestyle of practicing forgiveness.

Jesus declared: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. Mark 5:13?  Walking in forgiveness is like adding salt to our meals, it makes our lives inviting.

From facts gathered from  the Salt Institutes website at www.saltinstitute.org/29, there are over 14,000 different uses for salt.  It is used for preserving, cleaning, and deodorizing, in addition to its common use as a flavor enhancer. It brings out individuality of vegetables, puts "oomph" into bland starches, deepens the flavor of delicate desserts and develops flavor of melons and certain other fruits. No other seasoning has yet been found that can satisfactorily take the place of salt.  As salt, we are to stir up the taste buds of those who do not know the Lord to the things of the kingdom.  As they taste and see that the Lord is good through watching our lives, they will desire to taste Him for themselves.  However, if we have not found the grace to forgive our church family and take these attitudes into other relationships, what might they taste?  Bitterness? Resentment? Offenses? Etc.

Salt is an excellent cleaning agent, by itself or in combination with other substances. A solution of salt and turpentine restores the whiteness to yellowed enameled bathtubs and lavatories. A paste of salt and vinegar cleans tarnished brass or copper. a strong brine poured down the kitchen sink prevents grease from collecting and eliminates odors.  As we walk in the spirit of forgiveness, we will help those around us learn how to deal with the stains and tarnishes of life as well. We will model for our children the grace of forgiving our husbands, or our other family members.
 
Salt helps destroy moths and drives away ants. Walking in forgiveness helps keep discouraging worms from finding their way into our hearts where they can fester and cause a root of bitterness to take root and thereby defile many.
 
A box of salt is an important item in many bathrooms. In mild solutions, it makes an excellent mouthwash, throat gargle or eye-wash; it is an effective dentifrice; it is an effective antiseptic; and it can be extremely helpful as a massage element to improve complexion. Smiles will come much easier to our countenances if we are free from unforgiveness.  Again, forgiveness is also like an antiseptic.  It washes away any germs that could cause future problems in relationships.

The addition of salt in a recipe is much more than just for flavoring, salt functions to control yeast metabolism in yeast bread.  In other words, it effects how bread “sticks together”.

Play dough is a great example of salt's effect on gluten. Because play dough is rolled, squeezed and shaped over and over by little hands, it needs to be both stretchy and strong. That strength comes from "gluten" which is formed when flour is moistened and stirred. Salt tightens the bonds between the two proteins that comprise gluten and so increases the strength of the dough, giving it the elasticity it needs to be rolled.   God desires to use us as salt to strengthen the bonds between believers.  One of Satan’s tactics is to work with our flesh to cause strife and therefore division.  As we practice forgiveness, we will continue functioning as salt. "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.” Mark 9:50

Jesus tells us to have “salt in yourselves.” Let’s check our own saltiness, before we worry about others.

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:5,6 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do Col 3:13

As we walk in wisdom, having our hearts cleansed from bitterness, resentment etc. we will not have to worry what might come out of our mouths, because we have applied salt to the hurtful places and are healed.  We won’t be passing on any extra germs!
 
Ministry presents us with a myriad of opportunities to walk in the spirit of forgiveness;  like the sister who misunderstands the reason why we walked passed her without a word (because we had just talked to three people and needed the bathroom NOW); the nursery worker who is always late, the children who love to run in the sanctuary and keep knocking over the altar decorations.  Yes, we find opportunities to forgive every day.
 
Here is another practical life parable to consider: Have you ever gone for a walk in a field full of stickers and burrs?  When you get home your socks are covered with them.  It is irritating to sit down and pick out each one by hand, but if you want to wear those socks comfortably again, it’s what you have to do.  As we walk through life we gather the burrs of irritation, frustration and wounds which affect our hearts toward the Lord as well as His people.  Let’s go before the throne and cleanse our hearts
 
Here are some things to consider concerning forgiveness.
 
Remember that you needed to be forgiven, and have received forgiveness. We are commanded to forgive, it is not an option!  “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 11:25,26
           
Remember that the person who you need to forgive, also, if they have repented, received that same forgiveness. (Jesus shed His blood for them, too)
        
Remember that forgiving does not mean giving permission for the behavior to be repeated.  It does not mean that in granting forgiveness you are saying that what was done was acceptable—in fact forgiveness is needed for behaviors that are not acceptable.
        
You do not have to know why the behavior happened as a prerequisite to forgiveness.  In fact, if you did know the “why”, it probably would not lessen the pain you are feeling.
        
Be specific about what it is that you need to forgive.  What was actually done that caused your pain?  Not how you felt, but what was done.
        
Acknowledge your part in the situation.  Take any responsibility that is yours.
        
Make a list of what is/was right about that person.  They weren’t all bad—or all hurtful.  It will help you see them as an entire person—not just the hurtful part.
        
Walk in your forgiveness.    Freely we have been forgiven, we can freely forgive.
        
Dear Sisters, let us daily add this ingredient to our lives.  When was the last time you had a heart to heart talk with the Lord about all the people and situations in your life?  Let’s practice forgiveness toward those that offend us. We can leave all the hurt and offenses at the foot of the  cross where we will find life, grace and freedom.  Freedom to love the unlovable, freedom to forgive and walk in forgiveness.  It is by His grace, for His glory.
     
Written by:Martha Rodman
     
Salt hints from the Salt Institute and Baking 101 website