Influencing for Eternity: Maximizing Your Impact for God’s Kingdom.Air Date: Apr. 08, 2025

Beth Barlet (00:01)
Have you ever meditated on the power and responsibility you have to eternally influence for God’s kingdom? Today, I dive into what it truly means to be the salt of the earth and how to maximize our impact for Jesus. Let’s get to it. Salty begins right now.

Beth Barlet (00:44)
Welcome to Salted, where I help you uncover the transformative power to know and love Jesus in His fullness and stir up revival within your heart. Join me, Beth Barlett, as I come alongside you every week on the narrow path that draws us into a deeper relationship with Jesus. Get ready to be encouraged, empowered, ignited and equipped as we pursue authentic discipleship to influence the world for the Kingdom of God.

Beth Barlet (01:14)
Hey everyone, welcome to our newest episode in the Assaulted Podcast. I am just so excited to finally be with you guys today. I am literally coming off a two week span of the flu where I literally lost my voice and was coughing up a storm when I was supposed to be here recording with you. It was a rough time, but no weapon formed against me shall prosper in the name of Jesus.

And God’s perfect Kairos timing is awesome. And I’m so excited. I’m finally here speaking with you guys today. I pray that you guys have had an awesome week. I really pray that this episode will encourage, exhort and ignite your heart. And it’s about a topic that has just been brewing on my heart for so long. It’s just, burning within me just to talk about.

the power, the position, the privilege, but also the responsibility that we as Christ followers have been given for the kingdom of God. I think many times that we can actually lose focus on our purpose here on earth.

but also we can forget the truth of who we are and the power that lives inside us, the same power that rose Jesus from the dead and that we are to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth to reflect his goodness, his kindness, his holiness, his righteousness, and his selfless love. And I pray that today through this conversation,

that no matter where you are in your walk of faith, no matter where you are literally positioned, whether it be at home or at work or in the community, that you have the power to be a catalytic agent of change for the kingdom of God and that you are an ambassador for who Jesus is to sway people into a life-changing relationship with him.

In this Salted Podcast episode, I dive into the verse Matthew 5 13, where Jesus declares that his disciples are expected characteristics that distinguish them from the rest of this world as the salt of the earth.

And I’m here to come alongside of all of you and love joyfully admitting the imperfections in my own life as a kingdom influencer and how hard it is to walk the narrow path that can be messy and hard, but to also say that you are not alone and that Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit lives inside of you.

and that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Now we are covering a good amount of scripture today. So in the show notes, I will have a link to BibleGateway.com where you can further dive deeper into the verses that I mentioned and do a little bit more research if the Holy Spirit’s prompting you.

Now, whether we like it or not, we are all influencers for God’s kingdom. Each of us has been given our own circle of influence and group of people that we are to reflect the love of Jesus and voice the truth of God’s word.

You know, as we take a look at the world around us, we can strongly discern that we are living in some of the last days before Jesus’ return when he will come to judge the world.

As we await the renewal of God’s perfect earth and God’s new kingdom at the return of our Savior, scripture teaches us that we are to number our days and apply our hearts unto wisdom, filling our lamps and stewarding our talents knowing that these last days are evil. Psalm 9012, Ephesians 515. In light of this revelation, we as Christ followers are not to lay idle or waste our days, but to redeem our days with postured and prepared hearts that seek the Lord’s will.

as we await his return. And as we wait, we are to wait well. We are to intentionally seek to mature as influencers for the kingdom of heaven, but becoming more like Jesus to fulfill his assignments God has ordained for each of us on this earth for his glory. According to Webster, the definition of an influencer is one who exerts influence, a person who inspires or guides the actions of others.

Over the past decade, the term influencer, particularly on social media, has exponentially been on the rise. And worldly celebrities like Taylor Swift have shown the power an individual can have to shift culture, mindsets, trends, and in some instances, find truth. There is a million dollar industry in marketing surrounding the power or guidance of influencers to affect the majority and sway the beliefs of their followers as well as the choices they make in this world.

Everyone wants to be an influencer, particularly in this up-and-coming generation seeking fame, significance, power, money, etc. All the things Satan tempts us with in this world. A few years ago, one survey found that fortune and fame were the top two goals of the millennial generation.

individuals born from 1981 to 96 who came of the age during the explosion of the internet. Of this generation, one in four said that they would quit their current jobs to become famous. One in six would choose fame over having children. An incredible one in 12 would actually disown their own family to become a household name. However, we as influencers for God’s kingdom and the gospel of Jesus Christ are not to have worldly influence, but godly influence.

Our purpose is not to lead others further into agreement with the kingdom of darkness, but to sway people into a relationship with Jesus Christ by proclaiming and living out the truth of his word. And as authentic followers of Christ, we are to boli be examples to both believers and non-believers alike in all our speech, conduct, faith, love, and purity. We find in scripture that the power of our influence is greater than we realize.

and we can either choose to lead people down the hard and narrow path that leads to eternal life or the broad and wide way that will culminate in judgment and destruction. Matthew 7 13. We can either bear greater witness for Jesus and his gospel or lead people farther from him and deception, increasing their chances of eternal hell. There is no room any longer for rebellion, disobedience, hypocrisy or compromise if this position is to be upheld.

During the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospels, Jesus teaches us how we are to influence for his kingdom and that our lives should be distinct and different from the world around us through our identity as the salt of the earth. Defining their purpose in Matthew 5 13 as the salt of the earth, Jesus calls his disciples to live a life of love and devotion that seeks to glorify God set apart from the world around them. He challenges us

to live paradoxically to the world around us in order to be agents of catalytic change for his gospel. In a world that calls us to seek power, self-ambition, self-gratification, revenge, and comfort, Jesus proclaims the hearts of those in God’s kingdom. Disciples call to humility, godliness, purity, persecution, obedience, and selfless love.

Within two powerful sentences, Jesus defines discipleship and expectations of those that would follow him into eternity. Matthew 5 13. He establishes kingdom foundations for character, intentions and conduct and his definition of what it means to be his follower and a powerful influencer for his kingdom. By defining his followers as the salt of the earth, he not only establishes the type of fruit that is expected of us as his influencers,

but he also commissions us to spread the gospel and teach others to obey the commands of God.

You know, I was on a walk one day and all of a sudden I got a download suddenly from the Holy Spirit on the importance of the office we hold. And although I may not be the president of the United States, I still hold an office, a powerful office in God’s kingdom. The blood of Jesus has bought us a seat of heavenly position and royalty and is once described by the powerful evangelist and preacher John Calvin.

By God’s grace, we have been given the privilege, high calling to uphold the office to salt the earth. And like any individual who holds an office, such as the President of the United States, the office to salt the earth is one of influence, power, and authority given to us in the faith of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. The office to salt the earth is a high and holy calling and responsibility to uphold.

the characteristics and conditions of the Kingdom of God as a follower of Christ, one that must be upheld in order to maintain the power and influence given within the office.

holding one’s office to salty earth is walking worthy of one’s calling in Christ, a position that counts everything as nothing compared to the blessing of knowing and being found in Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3, 8. And in order to maximize our influence in this heavenly office, it’s important that the one who holds this position of influence is an authentic disciple and follower of Jesus who understands that it is highly valued

and that it was not earned with good works or talent, but bought for and given with the highest price through Jesus’ blood. It is an office that is constantly being evaluated and looked upon by many in worldly society, and it holds the privilege of reflecting the image of God and portraying the heart of Christ to the world. It is a position, a high-privileged position, to introduce everyone to the love, grace, freedom, healing, and truth

that comes with giving one’s life fully to Jesus through the good news of the gospel. And we as Christian women who hold the office to solve the earth must be effective ambassadors of heaven who have given their whole lives to glorify God. Upholding this office is not a path that is broad and easy in which everyone finds, but is one that can be described as narrow and difficult. A life that is willing to die to self and suffer for the sake of the eternal welfare of others

through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Only those who are willing to choose the hard things of God in order to walk fully in line with his will and commandments are worthy. Those who only understand that those who look back at the plow are not fit for service. Workers approved by God, bond servants of the Lord most high who realize that God’s grace is not an excuse to live a life of intentional habitual sin, apathy, or rebellion, but an opportunity

to be used by the Lord as a vessel for his glory. upholding this office is one who correctly handles the truth of God. Those who turn from wickedness and are made holy to be used as instruments for God’s special purposes, prepare to do any good work for his kingdom. Those who flee from evil desires of youth, pursuing righteousness, faith, love.

and peace and who call on the name of the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 15 22. It often requires its officer to break free from comfort zones, complacency,

and the cultural norms and ideology of this world as he or she cultivates desire to be an influencer and kingdom changer to save souls for all eternity. So why did Jesus use the metaphor of salt to begin with? Why salt? You know, just as the element of salt biologically is essential for life, we as Christ followers are essential in helping spread the good news of the gospel and the love of Jesus to this earth.

Like the use of salt in the ancient times of Jesus, we as Christians are to purify moral decrepitude, preserve the truth of God’s powerful word, and stimulate life and growth for the gospel as a catalytic agent of change. Just as Jesus was sent to represent the Father, we are to represent him in all of his fullness.

As Christ followers, we are exhorted to pursue a lifestyle and love in such a way that we elicit an undeniable thirst for Jesus within those who are in desperate need for him in this world. In other words, those around us should feel the impact of our presence. I would even suggest that we fail to live out our faith if our absence makes no difference to those around us. I love the quote I once read, that you cannot fail to notice the lack of salt in a dish

light in a dark setting and I even had an awesome conversation with one of my friends this week about being a Christian and how we’re not to be a thermometer who reads the atmosphere or the temperature of the room but that we’re to be thermostats who change the atmosphere or the room through the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us. So yes, we’re supposed to be thermostats not thermometers. Anywho.

we often recognize worldly influencers for what they possess, especially transient worldly things, such as good looks or money, connections, power, nobility, et cetera. And while these things may be of some value in this life, they have no eternal value if they do not serve God’s agenda.

Being effective kingdom influencers has little to do with our background, our bank account, our accolades, our talents or connections. We may possess these transient things, but what separates us from worldly influencers is who we are and the currency of influence in God’s kingdom isn’t power in the world, but our proximity to Jesus. It is simply found in our intimacy with God in prayer and the secret place.

We as influence for God’s kingdom when we spend the most time in the presence of God. In John 16, Jesus says, am the vine and you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing. This is to my Father’s glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. And so that whatever you ask in my name, the father will give you. This is my command. Love each other. We must also remember in Acts 1-8 when Jesus says, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be witnesses of me in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth.

People are distinguished solely through the overflow of the power of the Holy Spirit and our intimacy with God. Number one, we influence by the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us, transforming, leading, sanctifying us to be more like Jesus.

And number two, we influenced by the baptism of the Holy Spirit that comes upon us, that gives us a supernatural power to witness to God’s kingdom, allowing us to preach his truth and gospel boldly and be used as vessels through which miracles, signs, and wonders can be released on earth through the power of Jesus’ name. In other words, we are commissioned to bring heaven to earth each and every day so people would have life-changing encounters with Jesus. But also, we are to influence through our character,

our selfless love, integrity, and godliness by holding fast to our godly convictions, refusing to assimilate into the culture of this world deeply rooted in the truth of God’s Word. We are to remember

that we are to bear fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 22 of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. By his power of his Spirit, he gives us what we need to walk in holiness, developing virtues, but scripture reveals to us that if we don’t pursue these virtues as described in 2 Peter 1 4, we become unfruitful and lose our influence. 2 Peter 1 4 states that for this very reason,

We are to make every effort to add to our faith goodness and to goodness knowledge and to knowledge self-control and to self-control perseverance and perseverance godliness and to godliness mutual affection and to mutual affection love. Fear if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

now while it’s awesome to witness to others through prayer and the move of God’s power and I’ve seen and witnessed miracles firsthand myself, it still must be realized that many times the supernatural power of heaven manifests sometimes simply as a product of a simple decision.

And our most powerful influence can come in the smallest yet important moments when our face is tested through temptation or persecution and the choice we make being witnessed by non-believers about whether or not we will either pursue self-preservation or to please God. There are many who will come before Jesus on the last day saying, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not cast out demons in your name and do miracles in your name? And he will say, it’s a part from me.

you who do lawlessness, I never knew you, revealing to us the weight of our virtue, character, and heart posture before God. The church has been set apart to represent Jesus and God’s inherent words to the world. Her highest calling in this life is to walk in a manner fully pleasing to God, one that loves Him, serves Him, and willingly pours out one’s life for Him as an offering to glorify His name.

He reminds us that those who are the greatest in the kingdom are those who are servants willing to be last. It is a life that mirrors his character, manifests his message, and bears truth to the Holy Spirit, permeated in holiness, righteousness, obedience, purity, and sacrificial love. His followers are those who seek his face, love him deeply, and hence live a life that turns from sin and seeks to wholeheartedly obey his commands and live counterculturally from this world.

Jesus reminds us in his intercession for us in John 17 that as his disciples, like him, we are not of this world and that we are to be sanctified by the truth of his word in order to be sent out into the world in the influence for his kingdom. And we remember according to Psalm 23 that we are to walk paths of righteousness for his namesake, for his honor and for his glory.

And scripture reminds us and cautions us that if we are to take his work seriously and be influencers, advocates, ambassadors for him, that it actually takes work. That faith without works is dead and actually requires diligence, discipline, and intentionality.

There are many servants of Christ that need to refuse to believe what Western society has falsely preached, that there’s no work in Christianity with grace and that we can always be at rest, lazy and idle. For blessed is the one that the Lord finds diligently and rightly performing his own work, Matthew 25, 21. And blessed are those who hear on the last day Jesus saying, well done, my good and faithful servant.

As work is approved by God, the Apostle Paul teaches us that we are to choose diligence over distraction, that we are to fix our eyes solely on Jesus to aught from perfect of our faith, throwing off the sin that so easily inhibits us on our race. We are to work as wise and faithful servants, those approved by God that like diligent soldiers refuse to be distracted by the ways of this world, or like athletes trained strong in discipline of the mind who keep their eyes on the prize of the eternal.

those like hard-working farmers who are ready to reap a harvest, or vessels refined available for good use, those who flee from youthful passions toward God. And you know, I can’t think of a better example than the biblical prophet Daniel to reflect someone who successively upheld the office to salt the earth and greatly influenced those around him for the kingdom of heaven. Like us living in the midst of a Babylonian world similar to ours today,

Surrounded by compromise, waywardness, idolatry, Daniel was a man who refused to waver in his convictions and stood steadfast in his faith despite the pressure of the culture around him. A great example of a kingdom influencer is Daniel, who as a youth possessed qualities many desired. He was handsome, educated, intelligent, well-mannered, noble, who moved in the circles of the rich and powerful.

However, if that’s all Daniel had to offer in this world, this generation, history wouldn’t remember him. Yet today we remember him for his godliness, his integrity, and what he stood for, and his devout relationship with God. He was a man who put his relationship with God first above all else, and was led by the power of the Holy Spirit. God spoke to him intimately through visions and dreams, and his heart was posture and humility.

utter dependency and he undoubtedly understood the power of intercessory prayer. He was a devout man who pursued godliness, righteousness and integrity and placed his fear of God over the fear of man. Daniel in his obedience and soul that loved for God refused to bow down to idols no matter the cost. He lived a righteous life in which we were all to aspire and acquired the spiritual maturity and heart postures of an authentic follower of God in which we must all seek to possess.

He is also a reminder that God is our strength and shield and surrounds the righteous with favor.

Ladies, we must realize that there is so much more to living here on this earth than trying to maintain our comfortable lifestyle and so much more to the gospel than just being forgiven of our sin. We must take our influence seriously. Mark 9 cautions us that if we would cause anyone around us to sin, it would be better if we had a great millstone hung around our necks and thrown into the sea.

We must be intentional not to lead those around us into sin, whether it be our husbands, our wives, our children, our brothers, sisters, our friends, or other Christians in the church. As Influencers for God Kingdom, we are called to change the world for Jesus Christ and sway people into a life-fulfilling and restoring relationship with him for all eternity. Sharing the gospel is more than just words. The decisions we make greatly impact the world and the hearts of those around us. We cannot walk in hypocrisy.

Because as Christians, everyday our lives are on display to witness the power and validity of the gospel.

And from the first apostles we can learn that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things as witnesses for Christ. They weren’t biblical scholars with high titles or large degrees, but instead they were simply those who possessed the Holy Spirit, were submitted and devoted to God. As God saw in light, ordinary Christians had the potential to season society with godliness and shine bright in a dark world. But like Moses, can’t do anything of eternal significance without God.

We do not want to go without his presence, for how will others know that he has pleaded with us? How will others know what distinguishes us from all the other people on this earth?

God uses broken people, my sister, so that he will get all the glory. It’s not about being perfect, Nor is it the need to strive in religious works in order to maintain the position and privilege in which we’ve been given. God’s word tells us that being salted is just being like Jesus. A woman who has been salted for the kingdom of God possesses a supernatural desire that is supposed within her.

to live a life wholeheartedly devoted and consecrated Jesus Christ. She abides in the love of God, allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to sanctify and consecrate her, knowing that she is to be conformed into the perfect image of God’s Son. Her taste is one that is characterized by a supernatural holiness, righteousness, obedience, and selfless love. She understands that Jesus is her plumb line, and she relies on the Holy Spirit to help her display his characteristics.

and values to those around her in order to help change the world. Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 412. My sister, you are a salted woman of God called to influence this generation born for such a time as this. Embrace the power

potency and the high calling you have as an ambassador for Jesus Christ. There is a whole generation out there that needs what and who you possess. Jesus. Let your light shine before others so that your Father will be glorified in heaven. Today in Jesus name I declare over you, Isaiah 61,3. Arise shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold,

Darkness shall cover the earth and thick darkness the peoples, but the Lord will rise upon you and his glory will be seen upon you. A nation shall come to your light and kings of the brightness of your rising. In Jesus name, amen.

Beth Barlet (26:28)
I pray this episode has blessed you today. I appreciate our time together and I hope our conversation has deepened your faith. Don’t forget to check out today’s show notes for episode links and additional information. Be sure to share this podcast with a friend, review it, and hit subscribe so you don’t miss one episode. Go to my website www.thesaltedpodcast.com and subscribe to my newsletter to be part of our Salted community. Remember,

Being salted takes intentionality. See you here next time.