The rise and fall of nations has been documented throughout history and is directly related to the values they possess. The Salt Factor brings a fresh perspective on the original mission and purpose of the church and her mandate to transform culture. No nation can be sustained without a value system, and there is no value system apart from Christ that is not faulty and subject to decay. This book expresses the mind of God for the 21st century church and causes the reader to revisit the mandate of the Great Commission, which is given to all Christians. Every nation is built upon seven structures and each of these structures must be built on the principles and values of the kingdom of Christ. Comparing the modern church to salt, as Jesus did in Scripture, this book examines its characteristics and presents a clear picture of the transformation the church should bring to the world. The Salt Factor will help you discover your place in society and demonstrate how to be an agent of change in the world around you. The Salt Factor influence your environment with the values and character of Christ By Sino Agueze AuthorHouse Copyright © 2010 Sino Agueze All right reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4490-8051-8 Contents FOREWORD.....................................................................................................xiINTRODUCTION.................................................................................................xiiiCHAPTER 1: SALT IN A SALT SHAKER "SAVIORS IN ZION" "SAVIORS IN ZION"........................................1CHAPTER 2: HOW SALT WORKS IN A SOUP "KINGDOM PRINCIPLES FOR TRANSFORMING WORLD-SYSTEMS".....................15CHAPTER 3: THE TWO MAIN FUNCTIONS OF SALT "KINGDOM RESPONSIBILITIES OF A BELIEVER"..........................41CHAPTER 4: HINDRANCES TO A SALTED LIFE "KINGDOM CHARACTER AND KINGDOM VALUES"...............................74CHAPTER 5: SEASONING THE WORLD WITH LOVE "THE NATURE OF THE KING AND HIS KINGDOM"...........................119CHAPTER 6: THE ESSENCE OF THE SALT LIFE "KINGDOM KEYS TO THE DISCIPLESHIP OF NATIONS".......................139CONCLUSION...................................................................................................148 Chapter One SALT IN A SALT SHAKER "SAVIORS IN ZION" "Pastors are the wardens; and their members are the prisoners." - Dr. Sunday Adelaja It is time to re-define the reason why the body of Christ exists on planet earth. God's intent for establishing the church must not only be understood, but her purpose must be clearly defined in order to appreciate her value and her responsibility in discipling nations, and restoring the earth back to God. The church, as the body of Christ, is the only living, active presence of Jesus Christ in the earth. Without her, God has no voice, no presence and no authority in the world around us. This is why the church must regain her God-given influence and become a meaningful force in the earth. "Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?" (Haggai 2:3 KJV) The church is God's visible presence in the world and the only means of mirroring the visibility of God to people in the world. Every Christian should desire to see the church restored to her original glory, to see Christ glorified, lifted up and represented well. Each and every believer has gifts, talents and abilities that are placed inside of them in order to fulfill God's assignment for their life, and ultimately, His kingdom. The entire world is waiting for God's children to rise up and become saviors and deliverers in the earth (Romans 8:19-22). Christians have been commissioned to deliver mankind and release them from suffering. Everyone living without God is suffering, and only the children of God possess the power that can destroy evil in the world. As long as people remain in bondage to sin and futility, their sorrow and suffering will remain. There are people waiting to be delivered, waiting to be set free from the humiliation and shame of sin. Whether people recognize it or not, everyone is trying to find God, and everyone needs God and His life-giving power. This is where Christians come in. No one has ever seen God, but the body of Christ, the church, is His visible presence in the earth. Even as Jesus came to reveal the Father, believers are to reveal Christ to a world that desperately needs Him. People need the freedom that comes from God, true spiritual freedom, and as citizens of the Kingdom of God, ambassadors for Christ, believers are the saviors to the world. Now is the time to become jealous for Zion and the glory of her King, and to finish the assignment that Jesus Christ has given to the church. "That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:27 KJV) "The king's daughter is all