…or, what does “peace on earth” really mean?

Paul encouraged his friends in Colossae to let their “speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, to know how they ought to answer each one.” (Colossians 4:6).

But the Colossian believers were persecuted for their faith. Why did Paul endorse salty speech? Doesn’t salt sting, even if coated with grace? Wouldn’t it be better to not speak than risk more persecution??

You can visit the ruins of ancient Colossae in modern-day Turkey… or maybe not. It could be risky with all the persecution from the Turkish government that boiled over from the attempted coup last July. The authorities have deported, imprisoned or harassed some long-time, missionaries who caused no trouble but Christ’s grace to the needy and refugees. All believers, especially former Muslims, are blamed for the uprising and considered a threat to the Muslim faith, and therefore a national threat.They live graceful lives seasoned with salt. They shine light, and the darkness hates it.

The light in believers really does threaten the darkness, and makes it mad. By it’s nature light overpowers darkness—not with military strength, but with the inner grace and truth that either captures or repels people’s hearts. Satan’s craving to “kill, steal and destroy” (John 10:10) hasn’t changed since his debut in the garden, so the graceful truth we shine continues to offend him. Paul’s exhortation to gracefully season our speech with salt applies, persecution or not.

But why exacerbate the hate?

Truth stings, even if it’s spoken with grace and service. It’s “sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). Darkness doesn’t like the intents of its heart being exposed. Light makes evil mad, so no use trying to hide it in the name of worldly “peace” (which is no peace at all, unless it’s centered on the Lord’s peace in our hearts.)

In Christ’s kingdom, grace and peace don’t mean “be nice so you don’t upset anyone.” That’s the point Jesus made when He said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword” (Matt. 10:34). Inner, everlasting peace comes only from losing our lives, not gaining them; from taking up our crosses, not avoiding them; from losing the world to gain Him (Matt. 16:24-26).

This, of course, doesn’t mean we show dishonor toward anyone. That’s where the grace comes in—honoring each one because God created them in His image. But no matter how graceful our attitude, when we speak the salty truth, the darkness in people’s hearts still burns.

What business does the Prince of Peace—who rules a government of peace (Is. 9:6-7) and came to bring “peace on earth” (Lk. 2:14)—have bringing a sword?!?!

Jesus knows the kingdoms of this world will never settle in peace (until they all come under His rule), no matter how many “peace talks” (although God can use peace talks for His own purposes that are higher than ours [Is. 55:9], and to which we may not yet have a clue). “In the world you will have tribulation…” the Prince of Peace said (John 16:33) with no loopholes. It’s a given. It makes sense, because the “prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2) still strategizes to “kill, steal and destroy” as many lives and nations as possible.

Either hide our salty light under a basket, or let it shine with salty speech that will exacerbate the darkness (see Matt. 5:13-16).

How, then, shall we season our speech with grace-filled salt?

There’s no instant or automatic answer. A “salt shaker” will be involved as God shakes up our lives, “for everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt” (Mark 9:49).

God tests and strengthens us, teaches us real grace and truth, so we lose more of the world and gain more of His character; so our conduct and words present a challenge to the darkness, piercing to the division of soul and spirit and joints and marrow and exposing the thoughts and intents of hearts; so that perhaps some might “see with their eyes and hear with their ears,” that they “understand with their hearts and turn,” that Jesus should heal them (Matt 13:15).

We will find our speech saltier the more we spend time with our Trinity God:

• In listening prayer we learn Spirit’s wisdom and grace.
• In studying His word we learn the Father’s character and ways.
• In worship we conform to the likeness of Christ.
• In honest fellowship with other believers we become more seasoned and practiced in salty speech and understanding “how we ought to answer each one.”

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“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).

Here’s a grace-full, salty, daring way to do leadership:?Mastering the Art of Presence-Based Leadership?(Keith Yoder). Not for status-quo hearts!

Also look for?Sacrifice and Fire,?a salty book that challenges the body of Christ to move forward in leadership that allows both the father and mother heart of God to work together with powerful love and fruit.

*Direct scriptural quotations taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.