BBD 08.12.08 Where is the Salt?
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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08.12.08
Where is the Salt?
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall
it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and
trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is
set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a
basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and
glorify your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:13-16.
Russia has invaded and is attacking the democratic nation of Georgia. Will
the nations of the free world stand by and allow the destruction of Georgia?
If so, which free nation will next fall to the Russians? Edmond Burke said
it well when he said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is
for good men to do nothing." Albert Einstein said much the same, "The world
is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those
who look on and do nothing."
In a television special on June 6, 1994, observing the D-Day invasion,
General Norman Schwarskopf and Dan Rather were walking through the US
cemetery on the Normandy coast and General Schwarskopf reflected on the
sacrifices of the soldiers buried there. He said, "We should live to make
this world worth dying for." There seemed to be doubt in those words as to
whether or not General Schwarskopf really thought this world was worth dying
for at least at that time.
There does appear to be a moral decay in this world that is ever increasing.
The level of immorality reminds me of the statement made in the last verse
of the book of Judges (Judges 21:25), "In those days there was no king in
Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." The book of
Judges records the result of that kind of attitude.
The only thing restraining God's hand of Judgment upon this world is those
Christians, who are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Just
as salt acts as a preservative in meat and prevents decay and spoilage so do
Christians. Christians sprinkled across this world act as a moral
preservative preventing or slowing further decay and in some situations even
bringing restoration. But sadly there seems to not be enough salt and the
decay continues.
Why were Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed? It was a wicked place, yes - but also
because there were not even ten righteous people in the place. Not enough
salt and what salt it had, Lot, seemed to have lost its savor, its
effectiveness.
Does it make any difference how you live your life? Yes, it does! You are
the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Does it make any difference, whether you come to church all the time or just
when you happen to feel like it? Of course it makes a difference. Your
neighbors know when they hear your car start up and drive by their houses on
Sunday morning and when they see you come home with Bibles in hand, they
know.
Does it make any difference, whether or not you pray and read your Bible? Of
course it does! You don't want to lose your savor, your effectiveness, your
influence for the Lord do you?
Does it make any difference, whether or not you ever tell anyone about
Jesus, give someone a tract, and invite them to church? Of course it does!
How will there ever be any more salt! How will there ever be any more light!
If we don't win more people to the Lord?
It makes a difference how each one of us lives our life. We should live our
lives to make this world worth dying for. You and I are the salt of the
earth and the light of the world.
Copyright © 2008. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the devotionals
on a non-profit basis with source credited. The Burning Bush website has
been online since January 31, 1998. On June 8, 1998 the email version of the
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Prayer Requests: Please pray for the democratic nation of Georgia that is
under attack by Russia. Please pray for Malachi and Cody who are young boys
with cancer. Many prayer needs are posted at the Burning Bush website on the
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will be forwarded to the Burning Bush Prayer Group (Of course, I am always
in need of prayer - please pray for me. I believe that God is speaking to me
about a change in the ministry He has given to me.).
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