Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other. – Mark 9:50
This passage could be just a bit confusing. In the verses that come before verse 50 Jesus is talking about dealing with temptation and that if one is to avoid falling into sin one must cut off the member of his body that is drawing him to offense. In the process of teaching that Jesus speaks of judgment on those who do not follow his instruction and continue to indulge in sin.
Then he says something that is a little hard to understand. He says, “Everyone will be salted with fire” (verse 49). Now what does that mean? We know, at least in that time, salt is used primarily as a preservative.
Some believe that verse 49 is the concluding verse to the warning of judgment and verse 50 speaks of hope in the believer. It appears that the salt is preserving the one judged so that they are not consumed but endure the fire of torment for eternity. That is an ugly and scary thought if we are in disobedience.
Verse 50 gives the other side of the picture, and using the same analogy of salt as a preservative, encourages believers to allow the “preservative” of the Holy Spirit to keep the peace. I find it interesting that one of the primary purposes of salt in the believer is to preserve peace with other believers.
Another way to look at this concept is to realize that when we are being wayward, not caring about how our life affects others, and allowing our actions and attitudes to be offensive to others, then we are destroying the peace.
We are called to be submitted to the entire body and we are called to be salt, or to preserve, the peace. If we are truly salt, as a preserver, and we are called to preserve the peace, then we must carefully guard our actions and attitudes.
Prayer: Father, I understand that you give grace to maintain unity among believers and to keep the peace. I need your grace because I tend to become focused more on what I want and sometimes offend others. In Jesus name, amen.
Principle: One of the primary purposes of the believer being salt is to preserve the peace with other believers.
Affirmation: I recognize my role in the kingdom as being salt to the world and to other believers. The peace of Christ in me affects the world and other Christ followers.
Reflection: Salt is a well known preservative. What do you think Jesus had in mind when he spoke of salt losing it’s saltiness? What did he mean by, “Have salt in yourselves”?
Your Thoughts: We would love to know your thoughts on this post. Just click on the the "comments" button at the top of the page
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Check out our other website at www.biblestudydevotions.com
The Daily God Walk now has a study guide edition.
Readers are finding that having the study guide helps them internalize the messages in the devotions.
It also provides a format for leading small groups
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This passage could be just a bit confusing. In the verses that come before verse 50 Jesus is talking about dealing with temptation and that if one is to avoid falling into sin one must cut off the member of his body that is drawing him to offense. In the process of teaching that Jesus speaks of judgment on those who do not follow his instruction and continue to indulge in sin.
Then he says something that is a little hard to understand. He says, “Everyone will be salted with fire” (verse 49). Now what does that mean? We know, at least in that time, salt is used primarily as a preservative.
Some believe that verse 49 is the concluding verse to the warning of judgment and verse 50 speaks of hope in the believer. It appears that the salt is preserving the one judged so that they are not consumed but endure the fire of torment for eternity. That is an ugly and scary thought if we are in disobedience.
Verse 50 gives the other side of the picture, and using the same analogy of salt as a preservative, encourages believers to allow the “preservative” of the Holy Spirit to keep the peace. I find it interesting that one of the primary purposes of salt in the believer is to preserve peace with other believers.
Another way to look at this concept is to realize that when we are being wayward, not caring about how our life affects others, and allowing our actions and attitudes to be offensive to others, then we are destroying the peace.
We are called to be submitted to the entire body and we are called to be salt, or to preserve, the peace. If we are truly salt, as a preserver, and we are called to preserve the peace, then we must carefully guard our actions and attitudes.
Prayer: Father, I understand that you give grace to maintain unity among believers and to keep the peace. I need your grace because I tend to become focused more on what I want and sometimes offend others. In Jesus name, amen.
Principle: One of the primary purposes of the believer being salt is to preserve the peace with other believers.
Affirmation: I recognize my role in the kingdom as being salt to the world and to other believers. The peace of Christ in me affects the world and other Christ followers.
Reflection: Salt is a well known preservative. What do you think Jesus had in mind when he spoke of salt losing it’s saltiness? What did he mean by, “Have salt in yourselves”?
Your Thoughts: We would love to know your thoughts on this post. Just click on the the "comments" button at the top of the page
If you liked this post you may want to get entire month. Get the entire month of the Daily God Walk as our way of saying thanks for following this blog. To get your copy JUST CLICK HERE
LET'S TALK ABOUT IT! I would like to read your comments about today's post. Just above this post is the navigation bar. On the far right is "Let's Talk The God Walk" Just click on that page to make a comment about today's post.
Check out our other website at www.biblestudydevotions.com
The Daily God Walk now has a study guide edition.
Readers are finding that having the study guide helps them internalize the messages in the devotions.
It also provides a format for leading small groups
Check it out by clicking here
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