Be Salt! Leave Vengence to the LORD

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Point:
The LORD God says, “Vengence is mine!” (Deut 32:35; Romans 12:19). The Apostle Paul encourages the Roman disciples never to avenge oneself, but instead to leave it to the wrath of God (Rom 12:19). Paul also encourages us to overcome evil with good (Rom 12:21). Pastor Dallas Willard makes comment, that man is seemingly always ready to do evil, if God does not respond. Instead God’s Word says, that the disciple of Christ is to “rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and constant in prayer” (Rom 12:12). It is a tall order to be a follower of Christ, it is not easy, because we do battle with the sinful nature every day, to do good, to be good, instead of being bad, and doing wrong. The impulse of our fallen nature is to get even, take one’s pound of flesh, take revenge. It is hard to bless those who cause you trouble, instead of cursing. How hard it is to live at peace with all, to live in harmony with all as the Apostle Paul commands. But there is that caveat “with one another” (Romans 12:16).
Romans 12:16 ESV
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
Paul is speaking to the brothers an sisters in Rome, the believers and followers of Jesus. Live in harmony with one another, not necessarily with the world; but then live at peace, if possible, with all (Romans 12:18).
Romans 12:18 ESV
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Does this mean with the world? Paul appeals to the brothers and sisters to be living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, this being our ‘spiritual worship’ (Rom 12:1). How can you and I worship God, being holy and acceptable before Him? By being living sacrifices in the world, and not conforming to the ways of the world. Being a living sacrifice in the world is far more costly than being a lover of those who already love you and love Jesus. We are to renew our thinking in this way as disciples of Christ. Jesus would describe being a living sacrifice, a disciple of His, as being salt.
The Disciple of Jesus is called to be Salt
Jesus calls each follower of His to this command.
Mark 9:50 ESV
Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
*Corresponding Luk 14:34; Mt. 5:13
Salt [217] ἅλας hálas; gen. hálatos - purifies, cleanses, and preserves from corruption.
The disciples of Christ were to circulate among and purify the corrupted mass of mankind by their heavenly doctrines and holy examples.
Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).
Jesus calls his disciples to circulate among society and culture, being a cleansing agent, a purifying agent, and preserving agent, by following His commands, teachings, and example. Do you circulate among our society and culture, friends, work, community organizations, government and educational institutions, to bring light to dark places, powers, and principalities? Do you work for redemption and preservation of those things which are good and Godly? Do you mingle and migrate to confront and curtail darkness? Jesus said, live peaceably with all, if possible, as it depends on you. If you are salt inside - pure, clean, and holy; not living in corruption, peace is always possible with others, as long as 1) you are not led to dishonor God; 2) you are not led to disobey God; 3) you are not led to deny God. Then live at peace, but you cannot live in peace, should not live in harmony, if society and culture call you to do any of these three things. Yes, we love the person, because all have been made in the image of God, and are prisoners of war; they have been blinded to God and His truth. I can love the person, but hate the sin; for just as Jesus died for the sins of man, He rose for His love of man.
[Examples] - Galatians 5:19-21-
Do we actively pursue to preserve peace and that which is good in and for society and our culture (as God says)? Do I actively pursue to be an example of purity and goodness? Kindness and generosity? Patience and gentleness? Faithfulness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)? God says their is no such law against doing these things. That is actually doing our ‘spiritual worship’ because we are walking by the Holy Spirit, and keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, as He instructs and guides, as Jesus instructs and guides, as the Father instructs and guides. Paul says, ‘walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh’, because the two are opposite of one another (Gal. 5:16-17). The Holy Spirit will always lead you to do the opposite of what the world and your flesh desires. So, the Holy Spirit is the salt in you! He leads you into all the ways, will, and works of God.
Characteristics of Salt
Besides making things taste good and highlighting the natural flavors of things, salt preserves meat, dries, and pickles. But there are also three other characteristics of salt that makes it profitable for usage.
1. Salt is Abrasive
Salt has tiny sharp grains or crystals that have edges that function like sandpaper; that can be used to scrape away stains, food, deposits, and residue. Combine salt with vinegar (or another acid) and you can scrub rust off any surface. Mixing salt with olice oil or vegtable oil and you can remove liquid damage from wood furniture and restore its original look without it drying out.
If we are called to be salt, and indeed we are, we are called to be abrasive to those things that stain our culture and society, not mention our families, and the church. We are called to confront corruption, the rust and perversion in our culture and society, by living and doing as Jesus lived and commanded. For example, we are to warn those that would do harm to our children,
Matthew 18:6 ESV
but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
California Governor, Gavin Newsome, signed his state government bill into law, banning schools and schools districts from notifying parents of their childs student gender identity and prefered pronouns, if different from what is on their school record. All in an effort to protect transgender and gender-nonconforming students from “unwelcoming households” (Fox News, July 16, Bradford Betz). Also “to create critical safeguards to prevent retaliation against teachers and school staff who foster a safe and supportive school environment…” (Ibid.). Is the word to be used “foster” or encourage? Encourage the child to become someone they are not, and have not been made to be. Encourage them to listen to their feelings, their inner voice, ‘you were made wrong’, the way you feel, does not match your equipment, so let’s change the equipment. And we are not going to let mom and dad know, even though they are your parents, who are responsible for you, provide for you, love you, and protect you. We, the government education system, and it’s disciples, know what is best for you. Wrong!
Children are a blessing from the LORD to whom? Parents - mom’s and dad’s (Ps 127:3). Created by a mom and dad, given by the LORD, to that mom and dad. They are a good and perfect gift, without defect in Christ, and the receiving of a child, as they are, receives Jesus and the Father. To not do so, is one who does not receive or believe in Jesus and the Father - God. So why would we allow a godless system to indoctrinate your children in such a way that they believe they were made imperfect and need to physically change who they are, to line up with how they feel. If we agree, we are saying that God is capable of making mistakes, is not perfect, and therefore is not God.
James 1:17 ESV
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Mark 9:37 ESV
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”
God made us perfectly, but man choose imperfection, by doubting the goodness and perfectness of God. All of creation came under the curse of sin and death, when Adam and Eve doubted God’s goodness. As a result, man believes a lie, a Liar, Satan, and depravity comes to rule.
Romans 1:24–25 ESV
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
Who or what does this earth worship? The Creature, whether it is Satan or man, this world worships the creature, not our Creator God. So what happens? God gives up the created to the creature to the lusts of their hearts and the dishonoring of their bodies. The truth of God is exchanged for a lie. Where has the Worship of Scientism led us? To boys surgeried into girls, and girls surgiried into boys and a ton of regret and confusion. The image of God has finally, almost completely, become perverted. What is the lie that children have been taught? You are/were a mistake. You are not perfect, you are not complete. You are not made in the image of God. What a sin to lead a child into, to believe that you are not made in the image of God. You are a mistake. What devestation! What confusion! Why live?
God’s says liar! I do welcome you, because I made you in My image and you are perfect as I have made you…fallen under the curse, but wonderfully made. Psalm 139 should be a Scripture that every parent reads to their child at least once a year, may I suggest even once a month, even weekly! Specifically,
Psalm 139:13–14 ESV
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
Psalm 139:15–16 ESV
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Do not apologize for being abrasive about the truth of God. There is too much at stake to give up on children. One can still be loving, while being abrasive. But the world would have you be loving, without being abrasive about truth. This is called tolerance. Wherever did tolerance get Israel? Nothing but constant trouble, waywardness - denial of God, dishonoring of God, and disobedience toward God ending in exile and the silence of God. Are you okay with causing, with leading children into sin? Jesus says, one would be better off drowning in lake, than facing the Father’s wrath by misleading a child into sin, fear, and confusion.
Being Abrasive is not Being Condemning
Jesus said to the woman that was caught in adultery, “to go and sin no more” (John 8:11 ). The woman was a Jew and it was/is against the commands of God to commit adultery (Deut. 5:20; Ex 20:14). That includes followers of Christ today (just saying, in case we think this is a cultural thing). The scribes and Pharisees bring the woman to Jesus and quote the law to Jesus, that such a woman is to be stoned (John 8:1-5). What does He say? “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). What happens? Each one walks away guilty, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God“ (Romans 3:23); and Jesus refuses to condemn her (John 8:11). Jesus instead decides to “redeem” or “restore” her from the damage of her choices.
Can we, are we willing, to forgive others and restore them from their wrongs and sin, and the court of worldly opinion, instead of condemning them? Can we see, are we willing, to release the potential of who that person can become, or is today, with Jesus eyes?
Condemnation is a pronouncement of guilt and punitive sentence on an individual. The woman was guilty, but Jesus did not condemn her. What was the heart of the matter? Is anyone without sin? Do you have a log in your eye, and you mind the branch in your brothers? God is about loving his creation, not condemning His creation. We already have done that to ourselves by rejecting God.
John 3:16–17 ESV
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:18 ESV
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
The Spirit of the Law was to not commit adultery, because a true love relationship has no other love except the one. That true love mystery is marriage between one man and one woman, representing Jesus and the Church. No one can love two masters, it does not work. A true love relationship is one God and one man, no other god’s or idols. And in that true love relationship their is no condemnation, but only love, acceptance, patience, gentleness, etc… When that love exists in a relationship, no condemnation, like Jesus and the Church, their will be no reason to chase after another. How is your love relationship with Jesus? Do you truly believe Him, believe in Him, and love Him? Do you follow Him? If not, you are responsible, not Him, because their is no condemnation coming from His side, only acceptance, love, and forgiveness.
Again…Can we, are we willing, to forgive others and restore them from their wrongs and sin, and the court of worldly opinion, instead of condemning them? Can we see, are we willing, to release the potential of who that person can become, or is today, with Jesus eyes? A good example of this is the polarizing figure of Donald Trump, America’s 47th president. He has caused a lot of heated debate and emotional passion over the last 8 years since he entered the political areana. Why? because he is an abrasive individual. He speaks his mind, and says what he means and makes no apologies. He is sure of himself and his abilities. But, he is also a kind, generous, and genuine individual, as spoken of by those who know Him. He has not been so smart with some of the things he has said, and how he has said them, even arrogant, but is that deserving of condemnation? Especially from those who proclaim to love and follow Jesus? Would a true follower of Jesus even dare glorify Trump’s attempted assassignation? There is absolutely no justification for that attitude among God’s people toward anyone. Especially those who have sin and that is everyone. He who has no sin, be the first to cast a stone. We may feel righteous before such an individual, but maybe we need to listen to the words of Job, who was “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1), and was allowed to be tested by Satan. His words are these before God:
Job 9:2–3 ESV
“Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be in the right before God? If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times.
Job 9:20 ESV
Though I am in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; though I am blameless, he would prove me perverse.
Job knew that he had done nothing evil and wrong before God to endure such testing and pain in losing his wealth, family, and health. But yet, before his accusers, his friends, he is encouraged to repent for his evil and wrong before God, because God does not bring correction without reason. That by the way is proven to be false, God will allow us to be tested to purify us into more of His image and character. The fact is Job holds his tongue, knowing that his own words would condemn him and prove him perverse or twisted in moral, ethic, or socially. So hold our tongues and do not condemn. Being salt is not condemning, but can be abrasive.
Jotham, Gideon’s only son to survive, Abimelech’s murder spree, was abrasive in how he questioned the leaders of Shechem, who made Abimelech king, and allowed his actions, brought question about their integrity and heart. Standing on the Mountain of Gerizim, curious in that it is the mountain of blessing, not the mountain of cursing, which was Ebal, pronounces these words upon the leaders of Shechem:
Judges 9:16 ESV
“Now therefore, if you acted in good faith and integrity when you made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house and have done to him as his deeds deserved—
Judges 9:19 ESV
if you then have acted in good faith and integrity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you.
Judges 9:20 ESV
But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo; and let fire come out from the leaders of Shechem and from Beth-millo and devour Abimelech.”
Notice, no condemnation, Jotham will allow the leaders own actions, before the LORD God, bring their condemnation. He pronounces a blessing and a curse. If the mens actions have been faithful, may they and Abimelech be blessed by the LORD God. But if they have been evil and wicked, without integrity and faithfulness, may they be cursed by the LORD God and receive what He decides is their due. Let God deliever justice. Let God condemn. Let God take vengence for a wrong, for evil committed, not you. Listen to the words of Psalm 91 [READ]:
God will be our shield and buckler, if only we take refuge in Him. Do we believe this? Then let no words of condemnation escape from out lips, for out of our lips, speaks the heart. Repent and confess those words of condemnation that you have spoken this day, and be forgiven and restored unto the Lord Jesus.
A side note: is it not interesting to read in Hebrews 11, the great chapter of the faithful in Christ, that Gideon, Barak, and Samson are included in the hall of faith (Hebrews 11:32-34)? With all their warts and shortcomings, they were still God’s agents of salt - cleansing, purifying, and preserving the people of God from the enemies of God. They were abrasive individuals, not Sunday School versions or stories. We probably, most likely, would not like them if we met them. Samson was a womanizer, Barak weak-willed, and Gideon cowardly, but they believed “by faith” in the LORD God, and delivered the people from their enemies. They were not perfect, but they believed in God, and by their faith, they pleased God.
Hebrews 11:6 ESV
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Are you continuing to draw near to God? To Jesus? Are you living by faith in Him, or in the world, in yourself? He calls us back to himself, He redeems us when we have fallen, He picks us up, but He does not condemn us; so neither should we condemn others. We should seek their redemption, sharing the love of Christ, being the love of Christ, not approving of evil, but abrasive in the truth of Christ.
2. Salt is Absorbent
If you were to go into a butcher shop, you may see salt covering the butcher’s cutting board. Why? Because salt absorbs the blood that would get into the butcher’s block. The result? Disease causing bacteria has no place to reproduce.
Jesus has put His disciples, into this world, to stop evil and sin from reproducing in our socities and cultures, to stem the tide. We are tasked to do this by the Great Commission, of which Jesus commanded every follower of His to do. Jesus said,
Matthew 28:18–19 ESV
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 28:20 ESV
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Sharing the story of the love of Jesus is essential to our following Him, it is the essential component that identifies us as His disciples. If we love Him, we will do as He commands. If He so shed His blood on the cross for us, providing us a way for forgiveness of our wickedness and sin, can we shed His story of love to our world, work companions, friends, family, and the stranger…the lost? To not, we allow the lost to continue down the road of their own condemnation.
John 3:16–17 ESV
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:18 ESV
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
We are to be an active agent of salt, absorbing the bacteria of evil and sin, calling men and women, back to Christ. We have been given the work of reconciliation, calling men back to God, through Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:19-20
2 Corinthians 5:19–20 ESV
that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
People cannot be reconcilled back to God unless His people are actively being the salt of God! Are you, am I, being the salt of God? If not, we are to repent, confess our disobedience, our lack of love for Him, and get to work! Evil and sin will continue to afflict our society, our culture, your family, our church, unless confronted by the salt of Christ, Jesus’ loving story, His teaching, His correction, and His standards.
Jotham would not allow the wickedness of Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem stand unopposed. The leaders of Shechem were quite willing to allow the sin and wickedness of Abimelech to remain, and be reinforced…as long as he served their purposes. God was not, and affirmed the words of Jotham by sending an “evil spirit” between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem (Judges 9:22-24).
Judges 9:22–24 ESV
Abimelech ruled over Israel three years. And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech, that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.
The point: God will return evil upon evil and those who permit and incite evil.
Judges 9:56–57 ESV
Thus God returned the evil of Abimelech, which he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers. And God also made all the evil of the men of Shechem return on their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
Curse [7045] קְלָלָה qelālāh: the general speaking of ill will upon another (2 Sam 16:12; Ps 109:17, 18). Also, an unofficial pronouncement on a person or nation. God’s curse is on the disobedient (Dt. 11:28; 28:15; Jer 44:8). While His blessing is on the rightous (Dt. 11:26; 30:19). Jothan spoke a curse, so that evil would be absorbed by the Holy God, and that his family would be avenged. Jotham was the salt of God, seeking the preservation of Israel, and justice for his brothers and family… not to mention safety for himself. Are we brave, walking in the belief and faith of Christ, to call for the justice of God to absorb the evil and wickedness we see and experience in our society and culture today? Are you willing to lovingly share the truth of Jesus, and call to account brothers an sisters dishonoring, disobeying, and denying our LORD and Savior? Are you willing to walk in His truth? Our silence means we are complicet with the sin and evil in our society and culture today. Silence has consequences.
King Jehu wiped out all Baal worship and purveyors of wickedness in Israel, after having dispatched Queen Jezebel and Ahab’s sons. Because of his faithfulness and zealousness to God’s call, Jehu ruled over Israel for 28 years in Samaria. God also pronounced a legacy upon Jehu, with his sons of his 4th generation to rule over Israel (2 Kgs 10:30). King Jehu was salty - he was abrasive and absorbant, he would not allow evil and the sin of Ahab and Jezebel to continue. But yet, he was not perfect either. For whatever reason, he did not turn away from the sins of King Jeroboam, nor as a result, turn the people away from the sins of King Jeroboam (2 Kgs 10:31). King Jeroboam’s downfall was his setting up of two golden calves, in Dan and Bethel, of which the people of Israel were encouraged to worship (2 Kgs 10:28). King Jeroboam, and his lineage, was wiped out because he led, and would not depart, from the path of idol worship. Even after being delieverd by God, pleading for His favor, from a withered hand (1 Kgs 13:6), inflicted because Jeroboam did not like the prophet of God’s rebuke (1 Kgs 13:33-34), Jeroboam refused to acknowledge the LORD God and walk in His ways.
King Jehu was not careful to walk in the ways, the law, of God (2 Kgs 10:31). As a result, he failed to fully absorb the wickedness in Israel, and Israel needed further delieverance, in the years to come, by more judges raised up to deliver the people from their sin and wickedness. Are you and I careful to walk in the ways of Christ? Especially after we have pleaded for God’s favor, and He has answered yes!
3. Salt is Acid’s best friend
The work of the Holy Spirit does His best work when He has a willing participant. When salt is dissolved into acid like lemon juice or vinegar, the chemical reaction is powerful. Salt and vinegar, mixed together, can unclog drain pipes. Salt and vinegar mixed together into a paste can beu used to clean your oven and get rid of rust on all types of surfaces.
When, you and I, decide to love and listen to the Holy Spirit of God, we can become clean and seperate from any temptations and traps in our world. We can be released from the bondage of sin and destructive behaviors and “spirits”, demons, of power and influence.
1 John 4:4 ESV
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Ephesians 1:21–23 ESV
far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Being an heir of Christ, we share in the authority of Christ. Do we truly believe in and follow Christ? If so, we will walk in the power of the Holy Spirit …
Mark 16:17–19 ESV
And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
Warning! Be careful in whom, in what, you rest, and take refuge in. Bramble bushes strike those in whom one takes refuge in. This was Jotham council to the men of Shechem. Abimelech was a bramble bush, a thorn bush. Just when you get close, it strikes and wounds you. Satan is the same way, and so are his servants. God’s Word is full of council to avoid thorn bushes:
1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
Proverbs 13:20–21 ESV
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good.
Proverbs 22:24–25 ESV
Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
Proverbs 6:27–28 ESV
Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?
Galatians 6:7 ESV
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
He who walks with Christ, can accomplish great things for God, following His Spirit. Are you walking in His Spirit? Do you listen to His voice? Do you love His voice?
John 14:12–14 ESV
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
Salt can accomplish great things combined with the Holy Spirit of God! Are you salty?
Conclusion
Salt is not salt if it loses it’s saltiness. Have you, have I lost our saltiness? Judgment and condemnation belong to God, that is not a disciple of Christ’s domain. We are to be at peace with everyone, if at all possible, as long as we are not lead to deny Christ, disobey Christ, and dishonor Christ. We are to be abrasive in the truth and love of Christ, absorbing of the slights of the world in order to redeem the world by the love, teachings, and example of Christ. We are also to be a preserving agent of the good things of God in our society and culture. Disciples of Christ are to be actively seeking and purifying the dark places and aspects of our society and culture. We are the redeeming and reconciling agents of Jesus. This is our role, this is our responsibility. If we will not activate, who will? Only the people of God will, His followers, His disciples? Are we His people, His person? Who do we belong to? Who do we worship? We are to live as salt, and have salt in our lives …the Holy Spirit of God.
Be abrasive with the holiness and ways of Jesus. Be absorbent with the love of Christ by forgiving those who sin against you, but give no place for the bacteria of sin to grow. Make yourself inhospitable to sin and the ways of evil by loving the person of Christ and obeying His teachings and example, sharing with the world. Be active as salt, working with the Spirit to push back the darkness, by being the light of Christ in dark places and aspects of our society and culture. Confront evil and sin with the truth of God, with the love of Christ, in patience, boldness, and with courage.
Jesus was abrasive, absorbant, and active as both Lion and Lamb. He died on the cross, shed His blood, to absorb the sin of man and make us clean. He made away for being redeemed and forgiven of our sin and wickedness. Jesus forgave and loved, to overcome evil. We must do the same. He did not just speak and affirm the will of His Father. But He loved and obeyed His Father, by doing the will and work of His Father!
A disciple of Christ should be unapologetic about being abrasive in one’s love for Christ and hate for sin and evil. Knowing the lvoe and blood of Christ absorbs/ed the power of sin and death, the discipleof Christ actively loves, actively forgives, and actively transforms society and culture for the good and glory of Christ Jesus, releasing and redeeming men and women from the bondages of sin and death.
A disciple of Christ is abrasive in the Truth, absorbed by Love, and active in the Holy Spirit. A disciple of Christ does not want any to perish, but all to come to the knowing of life, and that life is Jesus. To His glory we say, Amen!
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