When Salt Loses Its Taste it’s Just Grit
Opening Thoughts: This isn’t one of my typical expository blog posts, where we crack the code of Scripture đ I wanted to be open and honest with you all because I believe that is very important above all things. I pray that you are encouraged by this post and that God will speak to your hearts about where some of you may be at.
2 Timothy 3:16 .. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work”
Last night Danae and I were struggling with the challenges of life, keeping up with our blog, finding time to continue writing our book, raising our kids, keeping up with my work demands, keeping up with the house demands, daily devotion, staying connected in our relationship, local church, connecting with other people, paying the bills… and the list goes on (as you know for yourself).
We live in some seriously demanding times. The age of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Blogs, Websites, Information at our fingertips and I must know now, smart phones, iPads, kindles, ebooks, latest apps, podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, G+, Instagram, need I mention more?
We are a busy, busy culture. The distractions are so numerous we can’t possibly detect them all. If we’re not careful we can miss the most amazing thing that is right at our fingertips. The Bible!!
A Book that GOD Himself literally wrote, I mean it’s hard to actually imagine this. I think Danae and I own about 6 copies.
I wonder what would happen if JESUS showed up at your house this day, sat at your table and for several hours wrote in a notebook. He wrote things that were extremely profitable for your eternal welfare, things that were very humbling for you (reproof). He wrote some items of correction for your life, things you need to turn away from and depend on him more deeply with. He wrote down everything you need to know about how to live in righteousness. At the end of His message He said, “Dear friend, I wrote all of this for you so that you will be competent and equipped for every good thing that I need you to do, and be careful to remember that it’s only possible through Me.”
Then with that He concluded “Read this, keep it close to you above all things until we meet again”
Suddenly all of life’s pressures and demands seem to pale in comparison to what is really most important, and what is it? Knowing God and being known by God. Nothing else matters, does it? I mean, when that relationship is in order everything else will fall into its proper place. Although life will get hectic, and at times seem impossible, you will have a peace that passes any type of earthly understanding. You will not love your wife/husband more, kids more, mother or father more, because you will love Christ more, and when that happens everyone else in your life is properly loved. You will patiently discipline your children even when it’s an inconvenience to you, because Christ commands you to. The Bible says that “discipline” spares a child’s soul from hell, so you lovingly care for their souls in that way, no matter what the world says. (I recommend the book “shepherding a child’s heart” by Tedd Tripp.)
One thing that was clear to me last night as I looked over my life and the things I was doing (all good enough things), is that I was less salty than I was a year ago. I guess all the busyness in life caused me to lose some flavor (especially to the ones that know me most). I mean, posting amazing things on Facebook is one thing but living it out is another thing altogether. It’s easy to show everyone the best side of your life on Social Media, but when we stand before God He won’t be impressed by our status updates, nor will they be accredited to our account. How we lived out the gospel in our lives will be the only thing that will last.
Luke 14:34-35 ESV .. âSalt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.â
After reading the above text my ears seemed to pop, and once again God’s grace is sufficient in my life, and He showed me the areas I need to give to Him, areas that I had been holding onto as my own. I don’t own anything and God doesn’t owe me anything either. I came naked into this world and I will leave the same way. So with that I will continue to do His work and look to Him as my only hope, and whatever He chooses to remove from my life He can, and whatever He grants me I will do for His glory. If I spend 10 years working the ground of a field and just before the planting Jesus sends me to a different field the joy in my heart must be found in Him and not in my efforts for Him. If the latter is true then I have lost the entire message. If I don’t joyfully abandon the field for the joy of knowing Him, instead I cling to the work I have put in, I don’t really know Him, do I? If that be the case I was simply a hired hand looking for a payout, not a joyful son taking pleasure in working for my father.
So this is my encouragement to you. Pick up your Bible and read it like Jesus just finished penning its words, read it like your life depends on its teachings, and study it to show yourself approved.
2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth”
Grace & Peace, Shane Martin
Preparing the Way
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I read this while sitting in Starbucks and actually began to tear up. This really spoke to my soul. The last few weeks have been hard, I’ve been carrying around my bible the last couple days but haven’t gotten myself to open it much. I am going to work on minimizing the distractions in my life to try and focus on what’s most important. You’re right when you say things will begin to fall into place when we put all our love, trust and faith in God. I really needed this, thank you.
Thank you so much for reading:-) It’s good to hear that we can encourage and strengthen one another through our own pitfalls. Trust Christ, look to Him. He is our only hope. Lord bless you, and thanks again for reading. Praying for you now.
Grace & Peace
Shane Martin
I just readthis.It became very interesting.All you have to do is pay attention.This is good information.Everyone should put this in their thoughts.Let people realize that theres more to life than computers and being on them
I like what your saying here but, I disagree with the use of the word careful cause its saying to be full of cares, i don’t think Jesus ever said be careful or ever would, cause didnt he say to cast off the cares of this world and to give them all unto him, he dosent want to just lighten the load he wants the whole load, for he already took it on the cross every sin every disease, sickness, infirmity. everything we do we should do thru him for I can do all things thru christ who strengthens me. phillipians 4:13 everything we need is already in the bible for he is the same yesterday today and forever. I believe when in the bible when Jesus spoke to any person it is counted for us all, cause god sees all as equal and he exalts us all above himself and we should do likewise, but he is exaltd above all, but he exalts us above himself because he loves us that much and even more. for god so loved the world he gave his only begotten son. john 3:16 and all he wants is a deep relationship with us, he wants to know us and for us to know him. I encourage you to read John Bevere’s book titled Drawing Near. if you havent already, I have just started reading it and I can just feel gods presence and anointing all over this amazing book, friend I do not mean to go against everything you have said. just be watchful rather than careful and if we truly give all our cares over to him we will not struggle with life but rather enjoy it. If god is with me then who can be against me and if he is for me then what can stand against me. Ultimately I believe he yearns for a loving relationship with us. And remember we work by grace not for grace. I hope I have not offended you that is not my intention.
John, thanks so much for taking the time to write. I see that you put thought into this and that’s wonderful. Jesus did in fact use the term “Be Careful” in Luke 11. In this text there were many people that believed in Him and followed Him around because of the signs and wonders that He did. The signs He did were not simply to put people’s physical lives at ease, in fact that wasn’t the reason at all. The story of the man being lowered through the roof by his friends to be healed by Jesus is a good example of this:
Luke 5:20-24 ESV
And when he saw their faith, he said, âMan, your sins are forgiven you.â And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, âWho is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?â When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, âWhy do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, âYour sins are forgiven you,â or to say, âRise and walkâ? But THAT YOU MAY NOW that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sinsââhe said to the man who was paralyzedââI say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.â
So Jesus makes it clear that the reason for the healing of this man was so that people would know He had the power to forgive sin. It was an outward demonstration if you will, of the inward work that God was doing through regeneration. Healing is valuable and important, but it is neither promised nor should it be elevated over the forgiveness of Sins.
When people start looking to signs and wonders they fall into the deadly trap of looking for and seeking signs and wonders. Jesus addresses this reality and then uses the words “Be Careful” see below:
Luke 11:29-36 ESV
When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, âThis generation is an evil generation. It SEEKS SIGNS, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah (speaking of calling people to repentance). For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.
âNo one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore BE CAREFUL lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.â
This was an issue of warning to people who believe themselves to be saved, thinking they have the light in them when in fact they do not. See His use of words, “Be Careful lest the light in you be darkness”.
Then Paul uses the words “Be Careful” in Titus. see below
Titus 3:8 ESV The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
The does not mean that we are the ones taking care, it means that we have a watchful eye out, that we put every effort into trusting in Christ alone, through Faith alone.
God Exalts Us above Himself?
I’m sure you meant something else or maybe I misunderstood you. There is no where in scripture where it says He exalts us higher than Himself. The cross does not exalt us but rather it exalts Christ. It Gives Him a name above every other name. He is the High and exalted one. Yes He exalts the humbled see below:
Luke 18:14 “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.â
John 12:32 “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.â
John 3:16 is often thought of as saying “God so loved the world”, like I would say “I sooooooo love chocolate chip cookies”. But rather that term is meant that He loved us like this (In this way God loved us, that he gave His only Son). It’s a passage that declares His commitment to Himself, that He set out the terms for reconciliation, and His terms are narrow and exclusive. He so loved the world (this is the way He loved us).
Philippians 2:9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.
John I really appreciate your comments, I pray that you will consider my response and we will be able to see mutual growth from this dialogue. May the Lord bless you my friend as you study and read His word.
Grace & Peace.
Shane Martin
I just want to tell you that I am still growing in christ I hope you dont think I’m judging you or trying to act like I’m perfect I just felt led to leave the previous comment, its weird cause I know these things but I am having trouble overcoming and letting go and casting all my cares off, but I know its what I need to do. I thank God for my pastor at life of faith bible church cause he is truly led by the holy spirit and is a amazing pastor and teacher. And like Paul said I rejoice in the preaching of the gospel, but I myself am not a preacher lol but I think you are doing a good thing with this page and for this I do rejoice. May God bless you and your works for this I pray.
Thanks John. I believe you are very sincere, a lot of your texts are being used slightly out of context. Yes, healing still does happen, in fact all the time, but it was never promised and the healing you are referring to in Peter, is that of our sin sick souls (please see the rest of the surrounding text for proof of that). Blessings