In our Wednesday evening adult Bible Class we are studying “Spirituality 101”, a study of the sermon on the mount as recorded in Matthew chapters 5-7 by Mike Vestal who preaches down in Texas. In our class last Wednesday evening we discussed the necessity of being “salt” to the world around us as disciples of Christ. Our world, especially the religious world, around us is in desperate need of the “salt” that comes from God. That is, lives that are being lived in accordance with God’s will in every way. It is so sad that so many people, really “good” people are going to lose their souls on the day of judgment. Many will say, “Wait, that can’t be, if they are good, religious, sincere people they won’t be lost” So sorry but, that is exactly the case. Jesus, Himself, describes it for us in Matthew 7:21-23 where He describes the judgment scene with some sincerely religious people. Jesus said, “21 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' Notice vs. 22 where Jesus describes these people. They are not “just” religious, they believe in Jesus. They even call Him Lord and give Him the credit for all they are doing. They are obviously very sincere people. But, vs. 23 tells us they are lost for eternity, Jesus does not know, accept, them? Why? Why didn’t He accept and save these sincere religious people? Because of vs. 21! All the good they were doing was not being done according to God’s will. They were not doing WHAT God said to do OR were not doing it the WAY God said do it and it cost them their souls.
God has given us His word by which we are to live, practice and teach. And, contrary to what many say, God’s word is understandable. “For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end;” (2 Corinthians 1:13). “And by referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,” ( Ephesians 3:4). And, it is not up to us to put our own interpretation on what God says. “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:20-21). And, Revelation 22:18-19 tells us very plainly that we must not add anything to or take anything away from what God says.
Being the “salt” of the earth means standing for God and His word in every way possible. Living the truth, teaching the truth and standing for the truth no matter what. May our God give all of us, each of us the courage, the strength and the desire to serve Him to the best of our ability in this way. May we all truly be God’s salt!
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
God has given us His word by which we are to live, practice and teach. And, contrary to what many say, God’s word is understandable. “For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end;” (2 Corinthians 1:13). “And by referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,” ( Ephesians 3:4). And, it is not up to us to put our own interpretation on what God says. “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:20-21). And, Revelation 22:18-19 tells us very plainly that we must not add anything to or take anything away from what God says.
Being the “salt” of the earth means standing for God and His word in every way possible. Living the truth, teaching the truth and standing for the truth no matter what. May our God give all of us, each of us the courage, the strength and the desire to serve Him to the best of our ability in this way. May we all truly be God’s salt!
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
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