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?

The Land Mourns

"There is no faithfulness,

no love,

no acknowledgment of God

in the land."

Hosea 4:1

As Americans, we like to think we live in a kind of "promised land."  People come from all around the world to taste the freedom our country offers.  Like the Puerto Rican immigrants sang in West Side Story, "I want to live in America!" People sneak into this country illegally in order to have a shot at a good life; one that they have no chance of living in their home country.  It does seem to be a promised land.

The problem appears when I assume that God thinks the same way about America.  If I look at my country through the eyes of a Holy and Just God, I come to a different conclusion.  I find that I have turned away from God and toward the gods of Independence, Comfort and Worldly Success.  I witness a serious lack of love for my fellow man.  I see a tendency for man to take credit for all the good things this country enjoys.  

In a nutshell, America is headed away from God.  The US may be a "Super Power" but its lacking the power of God.  America no longer considers herself to be "one nation under God."  We as a people group are moving in a dangerous direction.  As an American believer, I am not exempt from this trend.  I am easily influenced by the culture in which I live so it is important that I pay attention to what is important to God.  

Faithfulness

When Jesus prayed for His Disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, He also prayed for all those who would believe in Him by hearing their message.  He prayed to His Father that believers would, "be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."  (John 17:21)

Unity in Christ sets believers apart from the rest of the world that cannot get along with each other.  In order for this to be accomplished, though, my flesh must be surrendered to Christ.  I must want His will more than my will.  I must let God have His way in my life.  When believers submit to Jesus as Lord, we act as one.

Oswald Chambers said that since Jesus prayed this prayer, "God will not leave us alone until we are one with Him. . ."  It is vital to our existence as people of God that He be the head of us. When I turn to other things as lord of my life, He no longer is my Lord.  I am acting unfaithfully.  I am stealing His glory.  I am committing adultery.  


God sets my example; "the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever."  (Psalm 117:2)  He always does what He says He will do, He always lives up to His promises, on Him I can always rely.  This is the standard He has set.  


It is not natural for me to stick with something and be true to my word.  I may mean well when I say I will be there for someone, but then life happens, distractions rise up and tragedy hits.  Suddenly there are more important things to which I must attend and the promise falls by the wayside.


Faithfulness is not a trait I can obtain through sheer effort and determination.  Rather, it is a natural extension of following Jesus.  Faithfulness comes from God and when I am connected to Him I will see evidence of it in my life. 


One of the best litmus tests of my faithfulness to God is in how I spend the time He has given me.  As author John Boykin said, "Time is life--nothing more, nothing less.  The way you spend your hours and your days is the way you spend your life."  As a child of God who was made to glorify Him with my life, my use of time must be wise and intentional.  I show my unfaithfulness to God when I fritter my time away on mindless television, spend endless hours on social media or simply do the things that please myself.  


Faithfulness to God means I spend my time seeking Him, His kingdom and His righteousness, for His glory.

Love

Love is very important to God.  He said, "If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.  If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing.  If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere.  So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love."  (1 Corinthians 13:1-7 MSG)

Even if I'm like Mother Teresa in my words, actions and beliefs, but am not patient and kind with others, nothing else I do matters.  If I remember the wrongs done to me, easily pop a gasket or secretly enjoy seeing the suffering of those who hurt, it doesn't matter what I do for God.  If I write a child off, thinking there is not hope so why should I keep trying to help, any amount of effort I make to please God will be null and void.  

Love is what is important to God.  If I want to know what love looks like, I need look no further than God for He is love.

"Love never gives up.  Love cares more for others than for self.  Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.  Love doesn't strut, doesn't have a swelled head, doesn't force itself on others, isn't always 'me first,' doesn't fly off the handle, doesn't keep score of the sins of others, doesn't revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.  Love never dies."  (1Corinthians 13:4-8 MSG)

I can't love this way on my own.    Instead, I am only able to love this way because God first loved me.  In doing so, He bathed me in His love, placing His Spirit of love inside of me so I can pass that love on to others; if only I will let go of my own natural desires and inclinations.

When I am fed up with my husband and tempted to fly off the handle, love hangs in there, sticking to the commitment I made to him before God.  During the times when I am hurt and my mind acts like a Rolodex of wrongs, love cuts the offender a break and doesn't try to retaliate.  If I feel discontent with my life as I compare it to that of my friends', love directs my attention to all the good I have and to what I can look forward.    

If I am to stay true to God I must let His love flow through me, softening hearts and changing lives.

Acknowledgment

I was walking down the street, doing my daily exercise when a young woman approached from the other direction.  When I could see the whites of her eyes I said, "Good Morning."  The woman completely ignored me and proceeded to pass right by with nary a word or even a look.    Maybe she was listening to music or it could be that she suffered from hearing problems.  Whatever the case may be, it made me angry.  She did not even acknowledge my existence!  

Everyone wants to be acknowledged.  It is said that the best way to make someone feel welcomed is to look into their eyes and greet them using their name.  This method satisfies our need for recognition.  We feel like we're valued and important.

In a similar way, God desires for me to pay attention to Him.  Instead, many days I go for hours without even thinking about Him.  I'm driving into the busy parking lot, searching for an empty spot when I absent-mindedly ask God to provide a place to park.  Suddenly a spot opens up.  Instinctively I say, "Never mind, God.  There's one right there."  

It's easy to think things happen by chance, as a result of my hard work or because of the generosity of someone else.  If I want to please God, I need to make an effort to include Him in all parts of my life and give Him the credit for all the good things.  This effort will not go unnoticed.  As the Proverb goes, "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."  (Proverbs 3:6)

Things just go better when I recognize God's presence in every part of my life.  After all, He can't help me if I'm ignoring Him!

Acknowledging God takes effort as I give Him the center of my attention every moment of the day.  

Living in a country, and frankly a world, that doesn't take God seriously is a dangerous place to live.  But it can be done in a way that glorifies God if I will stay faithful to Him, love as He has loved me, and acknowledge Him in all my ways.  In this way, even though the land mourns, I will rejoice.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that God will be glorified as I live in a place that glorifies other gods.

How do I fail to acknowledge God in even the simplest of tasks?

When do I let love fall by the wayside, instead following my own natural tendencies?