Salted with Fire

"And if thine eye offend thee,

pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter

 into the kingdom of God with one eye,

than having two eyes to be cast into hell.

Where their worm dieth not,

and the fire is not quenched.

For every one shall be salted with fire,

and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness,

wherewith will ye season it?

Have salt in yourselves,

and have peace one with another."

Mark 9:47-50 KJV

In Old Testament times, God's people were required to make sacrifices to God for many reasons and in many forms.  One of the sacrifices was the grain offering and it was to be seasoned with salt, signifying the eternal nature of the covenant between God and His people.  (Leviticus 2:11-13)  

As a follower of Christ, I am a part of the new covenant.  No longer am I required to offer the same kind of sacrifices to which my ancestors were bound.  Instead, Jesus freed me from that requirement when He became the final, perfect sacrifice as He gave His life on the cross.  As the holy Lamb of God, His sacrifice atoned for all my sins.  Now I am free to enter into a relationship with God by faith in Jesus Christ my Lord.  And thus, I have entered into a new covenant. (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

Under this new promise, I am to give myself as a sacrifice.  The Apostle Paul instructs me to, "offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." (Romans 12:1)  I am also called to be the salt of the earth, (Matthew 5:13) extending the love, grace and mercy of God given to me through Jesus to people who are lost.

In order to preserve my saltiness, and keep from compromising the teachings God has impressed upon me, I must hang onto the Truth.  Even though the world is filled with false teachings, Paul taught that, "Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and, 'Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.'" (2 Timothy 2:19)

If I want to keep my living sacrifice seasoned with salt, I will need to get rid of anything that tempts and distracts me from running the race marked out for me. (Hebrews 12:1-4)

Relationships

I've heard it said that the most important things in life aren't things.  Many people talk about how going through a sickness or a difficult time taught them that their family and friends are what's really important.  While I agree with this sentiment to a certain extent, Jesus teaches something radically different in the Gospels.  

When He was busy ministering to people, healing and teaching, Jesus' disciples approached Him with the news that His family was there to visit.  Naturally, they assumed their Teacher would drop everything and ask them to come to the front of the line, bypassing all the others who had been waiting to see Him.  To everyone's amazement, He instead said, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"  (Matthew 12:48)  He then went on to explain that everyone who does the will of His Father were considered to be His family.

While this is a great lesson in how important it is to view fellow believers as kin, there is a deeper lesson to be learned.  Jesus considered His relationship with His Father and His obedience to Him as His main concern.  As much as He treasured His family, He loved God more.  If they were getting in the way of His mission, then He would place them in the proper perspective; off to the side.  

Relationships are important to me.  I have friends who have been with me for a long time, and others who I've recently met.  Each one plays a role and fulfills a need I have as a human.  Every day I must re-evaluate these relationships using kingdom eyes.  Who is supporting me in a way that helps me to fulfill the calling God has placed on my life?  Who hinders my relationship with God by demanding my time and attention?  Who encourages me to grow in my relationship with God, even if it means making a sacrifice to see me less?  Who tears me down with her words or actions, either in my presence or behind my back?

To help me keep on track, it is necessary for me to constantly consider whether my relationships distract from Jesus or propel me toward Him.

Activities

Writer and editor John Boykin reminds me that, "Time is life--nothing more, nothing less.  The way you spend your hours and your days is the way you spend your life."  Every human is given the same amount of this precious resource of time.  The way I spend it reveals what is most important to me.

There are many hobbies and pastimes that may be allowable but not all things are considered to be valuable in God's kingdom or helpful in living a life devoted to God.  There is nothing wrong with social media, for instance.  But when it sucks up an hour of my time with mindless browsing and chatting, was that the best use of the time that God has given to me?

Exercise is also a healthy habit to take on: it improves my cardiovascular health, guards against osteoporosis and protects against many disease such as Diabetes.  Everyone should get some kind of regular, rigorous exercise.  When I start to spend too much time studying techniques, learning new theories and trying out different methods, however, it becomes a problem.  If my mind is continuously dwelling on working out and I'm unwilling to scale back or give it up for a season, it has become an idol, and God wants nothing to be placed in a position of importance higher than Him. (Deuteronomy 5)

To help me keep on track, it is necessary for me to constantly consider whether the way I use my time is honoring to God.

Beliefs

There are many beliefs floating around out there that seem good, but are contrary to God's teaching.  For instance, I have heard more than one person say that they hope they're good enough to make it into heaven.  It is common to think that our entry to an eternity with God is based on our works, but God is clear that none of us are good enough and fail to meet His standards.  (Romans 3:23)  My only hope is in Jesus.  (John 3:16-17)

Another widely-held belief is in 'karma,' or that my current actions can influence my future. This understanding is based on the idea that I can manipulate God into getting what I want by doing what I deem to be good, or that my life is a formula of cause and effect.  If I do, "A" then I will get "B."

Instead, God teaches that when I focus on Him and His kingdom, loving God and people, then all things will work together for the good.  It may not seem good at the time, but it will certainly bring about positive results in the long run. (Romans 8:28  Matthew 6:33)  He is the source of all the good in my life.  (James 1:17)

These folk-beliefs that have been passed down from other religions or folklore can work against my faith in Christ.  Just because something sounds good or makes sense to me doesn't make it the truth.  It is important that I remain vigilant of what I add to my consciousness.

Spending as much time as possible studying God's Word and putting it into action as well as keeping God at the forefront of my thoughts is what will help me combat the inclination to pick up foreign ideas. (Deuteronomy  8:6)  

To help me keep on track, it is necessary for me to constantly consider the beliefs I hold to be true and keep only those that are from God and His Word.

Giving my life as a living sacrifice to God means it will be better for me to get rid of things that seem good to me than to hamper my relationship with my Lord.  For this reason, I need to always be monitoring my relationships, activities and beliefs, keeping only those which glorify God and help me to honor Him in all I do.  Then, as I go through this life filled with trials and hardships that serve to test and refine my faith, I will continue to offer up a sacrifice that is seasoned with salt.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can honor God with my thoughts, words and deeds.

How do my friendships get in the way of my relationship with God?

When do I let my schedule control me instead of giving that honor to God?

Satan's Schemes

"And a voice from heaven said,'

This is my Son, whom I love;

with him I am well please.'

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit

into the desert to be tempted by the devil."

Matthew 3:17 & 4:1

One of the most wondrous experiences those who followed Jesus encountered was in witnessing His baptism.  I'm not sure if everyone present was able to see heaven open up and God's Spirit come down as a dove would fly, landing upon Jesus like a butterfly lighting upon a flower.  If they could, I'm sure it was awe-inspiring, to say the least.  

It seems that after such an astounding display of God's power and an affirming statement of His love for His Son that God would plan a party, a spectacular miracle or some other event fit for the Son of God.  Instead, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness on a solitary trek so Satan could mess with Him!  

Satan is described as being, "the god of this world," the "father of lies,"  and is able to take on many deceptive forms.  As much as it seems Satan controls things, he doesn't.  He only is able to do what God allows, and Jesus has authority over Satan.  

As a follower of Christ, I am not immune to Satan's schemes.  I belong to God through faith in Jesus Christ so I am  considered to be an enemy of darkness, and therefore a target.  As one who is directly in Satan's cross-hairs, I can expect to be attacked and tempted on a regular basis.  But I am not left without defense.  My weapon against him is as powerful as the one Jesus Himself used: the sword of the Spirit.

Physical Needs

No food for 40 days.  I would be a bit grumpy, not to mention weak and weary after that long without sustenance.  This is exactly where Jesus found Himself when Satan launched his first attack.  Naturally, in His weakened state, his defenses would be down and His body would be craving any kind of nourishment.  

I am not beyond this type of harassment and it works best when I'm physically weak.  It could be that I'm tired from lack of sleep or over work.  Maybe I'm recovering from an illness or under another kind of stress.  Many times I don't eat the way I should and I'm either hungry or my blood  sugar levels are wreaking havoc.  Whatever the cause, the effect is physical weakness.  

When Satan tempts me to question whether God will provide, heal, sustain, protect or take care of me, my come back can be as simple as, "My God is all I need!"  Jesus quoted a scripture that came out of a reminder to the people of Israel.  He told them to,  "Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.  He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD."  (Deuteronomy 8:2-3)

It's easy for me to listen to the rumbling of my stomach or focus on the parching of my throat above all other things.  But God is to be my all in all and is to be the One who completes me.  Everything else is just a distraction.  

So, the answer to Satan when he tempts me with questioning whether or not God will take care of my physical needs is that, "All I need is Christ."  Listen to Erin Hill sing, "All I Have is Christ" and meditate on your real needs and how He completely fulfills them. 

Satan tricks me into thinking my physical requirements are most important, but God reminds me that if I focus on His Kingdom, He'll take care of my spiritual, emotional and physical needs.

Security

Maybe I'm a fool to think that God will really protect me.  After all, I'm pretty messed up and I've done some stupid things in my life.  He's probably given up on me; why else would I be in such a predicament?

When I'm feeling vulnerable, it's easy for me to think this way.  Satan loves to place a seed of doubt in my mind and watch me water it so it sprouts into suspicion and then grows into full-grown disbelief.  

In the desert region near Mt. Horeb, the Israelites questioned God's own Word.  They doubted that God really brought them out of slavery in Egypt for good, but instead thought He might have meant for them to die in the desert of thirst.  They no longer trusted God as their security but almost looked upon Him as their enemy.  They stopped believing that He would take care of them. 

Despite their disbelief, God provided water from a rock, but He reminded them later to never test Him.  Testing implies a lack of faith, a disbelief that God is who He says He is.  Faith is about belief based on God's character.

When it seems everything is going wrong and all hope is lost, God is still at the helm of the ship of my life.  Just because things look bad doesn't mean He has left me.  I can trust in Him to keep His promise to never leave me nor forsake me.  I can trust in Him to do as He said when He proclaimed He would love me with an everlasting love.  I can take Him at His Word when He said I am forgiven and I belong to Him.

Remembering who God is and all that He has done will help me to resist the temptation of doubt.

Satan tempts me to think I'm a sheep without a shepherd, but God reminds me that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who has laid down His life for me.

Power

The money runs out but the bill collectors continue to call.  The medicine is gone but the child still suffers.  Help is needed but there's no one to turn to.  Desperate times call for desperate measures.  

Most people aren't power-hungry.  Most of us just want to live a decent life.  But under the right circumstances, anyone can reach the point where they'll try anything to get out of the mess they've found themselves.

Sometimes when I'm desperate, I place my faith in a human to do what only God can do.  It could be that God is working through that person, but in my vulnerability, I forget who's really in control.

How easy it is to give my devotion to a certain person who helped me get out of a tight spot.  It may be a pastor, a friend or even a celebrity.  Before I know it, I've transferred the awe I held for God and God alone, and placed it upon a mere human.  Because of the amazing things they've done to help me, I've given them more credit than they deserve: I've placed them on the pedestal that belongs to God.

Other times I get tired of waiting for God to act, and I take matters into my own hands.  I try to manipulate circumstances to get the outcome I desire.  I try to create my own solution.  Sarai found out the hard way that this doesn't work.  She got tired of waiting for God to give her the child promised to she and her husband Abram.  So, she got off her duff and took some action.  She gave her maidservant to Abraham and soon, a child was born.  But this baby became the father of a nation that would always be opposed to God's chosen people.  Making my own solutions never turns out well when I take God out of the equation.

God has a plan for my life and it's a good plan that won't harm me.  But many times I find myself at the end of my rope and I wonder what possible good can come out of all the bad.  These are the times its imperative for me to remember that the earth is the Lord's and everything in it.  If it's in His plan for me to have the money, the medicine or the help, He will provide it in His time.  

Satan tempts me to misplace God's power or to turn to other sources for help, but God reminds me that hoping in the LORD will renew my strength so I can soar!

As a follower of Jesus, I'm not immune to Satan's schemes.  But as His disciple, I do have weapons and armor.  When I'm weak Satan may tempt me to fear, but I can trust God to provide my needs.  When I'm feeling vulnerable and Satan plants a seed of doubt, remembering that my Shepherd guards over me will keep the seed from sprouting.  When I'm feeling desperate and Satan tempts me with power to quickly solve my problems, I can keep in mind that strength comes to those who wait on the LORD.  

Satan's schemes may seem powerful, but they pale in comparison to what my Father has in His arsenal.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will remember God's domain over my life.

How do I turn to other solutions when times get hard instead of trusting in God and God alone?

When do I forget how God provides when I'm feeling weak?