The Power of Salt

How often do we fall for the line that “no one cares what I do.” We think our acts and deeds are not being noted. Is that a true statement? In what chapter and verse did you find that? This is what we call the “oh me” syndrome. Beware of that, it is one of Satan’s traps. God has a thing or two to say about that.

2kings 11 salt2a2Kings 11  An author recently wrote about and challenged each of his readers to be “salt” in the earth. In another article, an author said there is always a remnant that God saves.  A remnant is that salt, that preservative for godliness. In chapter 11 amidst all of the evil Queen Athaliah could muster there are three individuals who remained pure and holy. They are the salt; they are the remnant that God has preserved. We know nothing of Jehosheba other than she is the sister of the wicked King Ahaziah, recently deceased. She took his son and hid him—not for just a day or two but seven years!  The second person is Ahaziah’s son’s nurse. We know nothing about her other than her vocation. Then there is the faithful high priest Jehoiada, salt in the midst of ungodliness.  God has preserved this story to show that even in the midst of the worst kind of evil, God can and will use us for righteousness.

Jehosheba was used by God to hide the little child king, Joash from the wicked queen. The unnamed nurse raised Joash and the high priest Jehoiada, may have taught the young child king the Torah. All of these worked behind the scenes for seven years without Athaliah knowing.

Do you feel like all you are doing is not important? Listen to the words of the psalmist: I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. A doorkeeper is unknown except to God yet is the salt and the remnant God preserves.

Is Your WYSIWYG Showing or Hidden?

ImageWYSIWYG is an acronym for “What You See Is What You Get.” In computer lingo it is an editor in which content (text and graphics) are displayed onscreen during the editing process. When WYSIWYG is hidden from the reader it looks just like you are reading now but when turned on it shows the editing marks so you can realign and readjust what you want the reader to see. What if the world saw our WYSIWYG? What might they see? That is the essence of what Paul asked the Corinthians in this last chapter [2Cor 13] as he draws this letter to a close. Paul said, I have left my WYSIWYG marks open for you to see. I have revealed my humility, meekness and gentleness in Christ, my visions and revelations. When I was with you I was open and transparent and never became a burden to you. In the time I was with you did I not reveal the signs of a true apostle? I was “not like the religious hucksters ..I did not go about “missionarying,” as Mark Twain described this type of religious swindling [referring to the false teachers among the Corinthians]” [Bob Deffinbaugh]

Paul said: You are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. I came as Christ, weak now but I can be powerful and I will demonstrate that resurrection power of Christ when I come if need be! Then in a flash, he turns the tables on the Corinthians. Now let me see your WYSIWYG or better yet why don’t you do it for yourself? Paul says:  Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you – unless, indeed, you fail the test! If you doubt my apostleship you must doubt your own Christianity for you are the fruit of my apostleship!

So how does one test to see if you are in the faith? Paul does not give us a “do’s and don’ts’ list of things we can mark off, but instead Paul infers that we must check our lifestyle that is apparent to all. We could begin in Matthew 5 with the “Be-Attitudes.” Kingdom people strive to demonstrate kingdom character qualities: poor in spirit, mourning over personal sin, meekness under pressure, hungering and thirsting for righteousness. These character qualities are observable in kingdom people’s conduct: merciful to others, pure in heart which is noted in being single minded; and peacemakers. As others observe our character and our conduct they can see that we are called to be kingdom people. In the book of Galatians Paul enumerates that which can only come about from an anointing of the Holy Spirit:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  

Our question then from the book of 2 Corinthians which we finish today: Is your WYSIWYG showing or hidden? Are you hiding your salt in the saltshaker and your light under a bushel?

 

Being a SaltShaker for Christ

ImageEveryday you pick up the salt shaker and probably do not realize that there are at least 14,000 uses for the common table salt. Truly God’s gift is a wonder. Salt is not just an enhancer but also a preservative. It is an excellent cleaning agent—a brine of salt and vinegar poured down the kitchen sink prevents grease from collecting! Jesus said we are to be salt and light, not pepper and dark!  Yesterday we talked about the message of the gospel and how it offends the person to whom we bring it. But, if they only could taste the salt in our shaker then what a transformation would take place!  The message may be offensive but as Paul and Jesus said we are to be meek and gentle, salt and light in a dark world.

Today in our reading, [2Cor 11] Paul speaks to his beloved Corinthians in boldness for as their spiritual father he had promised them to Christ. He used the analogy of a father’s jealousy for the protection of a virgin daughter. In particular, Paul spoke to them about his love and concern for their lack of discernment regarding those who came to them with various “truths” thus deceiving them and leading them astray.  Jesus asked this pointed question: “But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again?” This is what Paul was asking his beloved Corinthians. By not being discerning they were losing their salt’s effectiveness, they were being“tossed to and fro , and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness…” [Eph 4]

As the Corinthians we need to ask why we too so easily accept the pepper of this world; those who come wrapped in skilled speech and are proud. Unlike the , the Corinthians and us in turn, are often unable to discern the truth of  message because we are searching the scriptures to verify what is said is truth and not error. [Heb 5:14]  

ImageJesus did not say to be pepper but to be salt. Just as pepper is dark so our enemy is dark. Just as pepper is spicy so is the enemy with his methods of deception. He has one aim in mind; he seeks to devour. The false teachers came with the motive of removing the salt from the Corinthian church and its effective testimony. The enemy today comes for the same reason. Their peppershaker might be camouflaged as a salt shaker but when turned upside down we find not flakes of salt but peppercorns! As Jesus said, they are dressed in sheep’s clothing but inside are but ravening wolves. Once we know the truth we can discern the peppershaker from the saltshaker. As babes we are to be encased and protected in the saltshaker but once mature we are to allow God to shake us out. We will then find that we are walking and sharing the table with the pepper. Our job as salt is to share the truth that frees from death, preserves the saints, heals, seasons and shares the cleansing message of the gospel to the peppers of this world.

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“Are You Worth the Taste Test?” Colossians 4

ImageThere is an old adage which says “open mouth, insert foot” which has the meaning of speaking before thinking. So how does that fit with today’s reading in Colossians? It shows us that no matter where God has placed you, you can be a Paul! Sequestered in a Roman jail, Paul used every opportunity to teach his beloved followers so that they may carry on the work. Thus, Paul gives his readers three imperatives with one need:

Imperative: Be devoted to prayer. The word devoted has the idea of pursuing a particular passion. The synonyms of dedicate carries with it a solemn purpose and consecrate gives us the idea of being set apart. Believers are to determine that they will be devoted. Adam Clarke: “Prayer requires more of the heart than the tongue.” This prayer devotion must be accompanied by alertness and thanksgiving which reminds us of Jesus in the Garden prior to His trial. Mat 26:41 Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Need: Pray for us in your time with God. Pray that God will open a door for us so we can proclaim the message of Christ. Charles Finney “ Effective prayer is prayer that attains what it seeks. It is prayer that moves God, affecting its end.”

Imperative: Conduct yourself with wisdom toward outsiders. You may be the only Bible unbelievers read so be on guard as you walk and talk and 1Pe 3:15 But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.

Imperative: Let your speech be seasoned with salt. As you season foods to preserve them and to add flavor so you should be seasoned with the Fruit of the Spirit. We might ask ourselves: Are we just tasty enough to lead people to crave more? That is the picture Paul is presenting here.

Today, did you spend time in prayer for yourself, for others, for the lost? Watch yourself today and listen to your words. Be on guard as the world is watching and the time is short.

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