It was a historical moment as we approached the fortress of Louisbourg in Nova Scotia, Canada. In its day, this 18th century French fortress had been a centre of civilization. Sadly, it fell to the British in 1758, and what we saw before us today was but a reconstruction.

As we came up to the gate, a guard turned upon us, demanding in a menacing voice: “Mot de Passe (Password)?”

She had no idea that I was from the old country, that the country where I was born still held a monarchy, and she was surprised when I looked her in the eye and answered “Vive le Roi (Long live the king)!”

She had no choice but to let me enter. I knew the password.

Why was this used as a password for entering French fortifications? Because the worst enemy of the French in the 18th century was the British Empire. Having a king of their own, no British spy would ever utter “Vive le Roi”. It would have constituted an act of treason to their own king! It was, indeed, a great password for keeping the undesirables out!

I seriously doubt that such a password would work in our society now-a-days, where loyalties are easily broken and revolutions can begin at the spur of the moment. But it did make me think: Are we even still loyal to the One true King? The King of heaven?

Jesus was aware of the true condition of our hearts and He warned us:

“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” (Luke 16:13 NIV)

In other words, just like the British in the 18th century couldn’t utter “vive le Roi!” while serving the king of Great Britain, we cannot serve the King of Kings and the world at the same time!

A good comparison to this is found in the illustration of salt: “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.” (Luke 14:34-35 NIV)

Let us try to understand this illustration. Jesus is talking about ordinary salt. Pure table salt has a chemical composition of NaCl (Sodium Chloride). When you mix Sodium Chloride with another compound, it does not form a new substance. The two atoms (Na and Cl; Sodium and Chlorine) can be momentarily split apart by water, yet once the water (H2O) is removed, they return to their initial structure. NaCl particles are incapable of bonding (sharing their electrons) with H2O molecules, or any other chemical substance, for that matter.

But if this is the case, how can salt lose its saltiness?

It’s only possible if a chemical reaction occurs. NaCl is a very stable compound. It is part of a group of substances chemists call “ionic”, which makes it one of the strongest substances in the world. This is because the chemical bond between the sodium and chlorine is very strong, and very hard to break apart. Sodium and chlorine have a happy marriage, as sodium gave its one “valence electron” (valence electrons are the only electrons that atoms can give) to chlorine, making them both “happy”. Because of this, they are extremely attracted to one another (since chlorine has one more electron than it should, and sodium has one fewer than it should). It makes their bond almost unbreakable.

To lose its saltiness, enough energy would have to be provided (which is usually massive quantities of energy, provided only by forces like electricity) to force the sodium and chlorine to bond with other atoms.

So back to Jesus’ explanation, a Christian can lose his or her “saltiness” by allowing some outside force – addictions, pet sins, distracting pastimes, etc., to cause them to “divide” from the King of Kings, and “bond” with another master. In essence, the gospel message, portrayed in the Word of God, becomes “diluted”, mixed up with other messages. And although the message may retain some traces of the original, it isn’t God’s message any longer.

What is God’s gospel message?

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph 2:8-9 NIV)

So many acknowledge that the cross is indeed the bridge that covers the divide between us and God. However how many of us try to reach the other side by different means? Have we lost our saltiness or can we still declare boldly “Vive le roi!”, our King is the king of Universe and we will follow His Word no matter what.

It is true, many heresies have infiltrated His message. It’s up to us to filter these under the Light given to us from the Most High Himself: His Word, the Bible.

“Mot de passé (Password)?”

What will be your answer?

Rob and Donovan Chaffart


(To access the entire “Awake!” devotional series, please click here.)