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As I reflect on your warning, Jesus, in Matthew 5:13 to retain the salty flavor of my faith at all costs, I think about the context of your guidance. I look back on the core competency of Christianity as recorded in the preceding verses, 3-11. Here, you offer the richness of the kingdom to those poor in spirit. Thus, I should at all costs avoid the Satanic offer of worldly riches, which will surely quench my love for you. Here, you encourage your true followers that when they mourn they can be comforted by the Creator Himself. Lord, help me not to seek comfort in the world, medicating with its pleasures. You go on to teach your would-be followers that REAL greatness (NOT the WAY to greatness) is meekness. Help me, Lord, to avoid the trap of using godliness as a means of gain (1 Timothy 6:5). Help me Lord to fully embrace the lifestyle of meekness, for meekness IS greatness in your eyes. Lord, plant in me an insatiable appetite for righteousness. You say that this is the only appetite that will be satisfied. All other appetites will leave me wanting more, addicted and alone.

Lord, the very fact that you include the value of mercy-giving in your prime teaching on Christianity signals to me that I will often be tested on this. I will often face adversity that will attempt to debase me to judgment, harshness, vengeance, and short-suffering. You then tell me that I will see God if my heart is pure. Help me, oh God, to avoid the pageantry of religion and to live for the inner-transformation that you freely give to all who worship you. Let me be a peacemaker, Lord. All around me, it seems, there is conflict, hatred, fighting, meanness, and the list goes on. Lord, let me not abdicate my responsibilities as a minister of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18), but exert love and clear-headedness. Finally, Lord, allow me to suffer with divine dignity. You say that I should rejoice when I am mistreated because my life bears your name. Help me not to grieve in these situations, but smile and thank you for the absolute honor to suffer for your glory. For YOUR glory. For YOUR glory.

So, now I understand how I can lose my salty taste. It's not merely a matter of cooling zeal. It's about cooling values and character. And when this happens, Jesus, you said that the only use for me at this point is to be trampled under foot. So I pray for me, my church, and all my friends: Protect us from the kind of religion that tolerates salt-lessness and exemplifies the illusion of godliness. Let Christ be our treasure.