For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.
Mark 9:50 NASB

Salt IS good; it adds flavor, preserves food, and has healing benefits. Gargling with salt helps heal a sore throat, and soaking sore muscles in a bath of Epsom salts reduces inflammation.

In biblical times, salt was also used in religious sacrifices and ceremonies. The Lord required that every grain offering be seasoned with salt. It symbolized permanence and faithfulness to the Lord’s covenant. Likewise, we are salted with fire; our love and loyalty to Jesus tested and tried. For fire purifies and refines.

If we walk back the scriptures, God gives us a window seat to His heart and purpose for this verse. In Mark 9:14-48, a father asked for healing of his demon-possessed son. Jesus’ disciples doubted and couldn’t cast it out. Jesus says, “All things are possible to him who believes.”

Then the disciples debated who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus overheard and taught, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.” Jesus encouraged them to start with a child. If you receive a child, you receive me.

The disciples also looked sideways . . . someone else was doing miracles in Jesus’ name. Should we stop him? Jesus commanded His disciples to follow Him. Don’t look at the crowds; and don’t compare yourselves to others. You have different callings; but you’re working for the same good. And anyone who is not against you, is for you. Whoever offers a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name will be rewarded. Therefore, receive the gift and opportunity to work together!

Then Jesus warns about hell—whoever causes a child to stumble, it would be better to be cast into the deep sea with a heavy millstone tied around their neck. If your hand causes you to sin, you’re better off without it. If your feet cause you to stumble, it’s better to be lame.

Sin has serious consequences! It’s a heart issue . . . the Lord wants our whole heart.

Like the disciples, we doubt, covet, quarrel, and people please. We strive for the best seats. And we relinquish them only when it benefits us. The widow, child, stranger, and outcast are dismissed, forgotten, and/or abandoned. Will we be part of the solution—a conduit of healing?

We are salted with fire, purified and refined through tests and trials. But salt is not flammable. We are not consumed! We become representatives of Jesus’ love, His kind character and Way. His mercy, grace, compassion, gentleness, generosity, and loyalty transform hearts and homes. Cities and nations. His example is trustworthy. May we become more like Him!

Finally, peace is not the absence of conflict. Struggles are a guarantee. However, the choices we make determine whether we will be part of the cure and help the gospel message endure.

Have salt in yourselves; choose holiness and be at peace with one another.

Offer what is ripe . . . what has been tested and refined . . . and grits of new growth!

And anticipate God’s goodness. He is faithful!

Lily Mae

 

     Every grain offering of yours, moreover, you shall season with salt, so that the salt of the covenant of your God shall not be lacking from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt . . . Also, if you bring a grain offering of early ripened things to the Lord, you shall bring fresh heads of grain roasted in the fire, grits of new growth, for the grain offering of your early ripened things. Leviticus 2: 12-14 NASB