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1999-07-08 - The Salt Shaker
Matt 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt
has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing
anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. (NAS)
The memory of Cassie Bernall has been placed in front of me several times
this week. I wonder if Cassie Bernall understood the idea of being salt and
light to the world around her. She lived it, and continues to be salt and
light even after her death a few weeks ago. Cassie was a 17-year-old student
at Columbine High School in Colorado. To the credit of the ABC Network, Peggy
Wehmeyer covered Cassie's story with a very positive view of the faith in
Jesus Christ that Cassie lived. The story told America how a very troubled
teen had been turned from bitter rebellion to faith strong enough to look
down the barrel of a rifle and stand for Who she believed.
Christianity in America is a sort of sub-culture. We have Christian music
and radio stations, Christian bookstores, schools and conferences. One article
pointed out that for many parents, the Columbine shootings were the last
straw and they are pulling their kids out of public school in favor of private
school, home schooling or Christian schools. I understand their feelings.
In no way do I feel their feelings are unjustifiable. There is, however,
a danger in this general line of thinking.
In order for salt to be effective, it must be sprinkled on to the meat and
rubbed into it to permeate and preserve the meat against rotting. If a shaker,
or even a 20 pound bag of salt is set next to the meat, even in full view
of the meat, the meat will still spoil. If Christianity pulls out of society,
our effectiveness will be reduced to zero. We will have become tasteless
to the world we are supposed to preserve.
John 12:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain
of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if
it dies, it bears much fruit. (NAS)
Many times this death is to our pride, or to self to reach out and minister
to people around us. We are often called to give our lives in degrees, learning
to trust God a little more each day. Four men were martyred at the hands
of South American Indians in full view of the wives. The next day, the women
walked into that same village where they husbands had been slain the day
before and led the leaders of the tribe to faith in Jesus. The widows were
all told how bravely the men met their deaths - it made a distinct impression.
The men had been killed, but not defeated
The bravery and faith with which Cassie met her death has impressed a nation.
She spoke with her life. The change Jesus made in that life were noteworthy.
Her martyrdom has opened the doors for many to ask questions, and others
to come to know the Jesus Cassie knew - the One that changes lives. The thief
on the cross who asked the Lord to remember him never had a chance to tell
someone about the change Jesus Christ had made in his life. Still his plea
and Jesus' acceptance of him have touched lives down through the ages. He
was no more conscious of the impact of his statement than Cassie was. But
both have born much fruit.
The change in Cassie began with friends around her who talked her into coming
to a youth group meeting, or just talked with her about Jesus. Those friends
poured salt and light in the life of a young lady who had planned to murder
her parents. They preserved because they were in the world, but not of it.
They got out of their comfort zone, out of the salt shaker. And because of
that they made a difference that has created ripples that are still touching
lives and shaking the world. The need for a place to rest and learn, the
Christian sub-culture, is not unimportant. But the saltiness of all of
Christendom will not have an effect on the world if does not get out of the
shaker.
Lord Jesus - down through the ages there have been men
and women whose lives where salt and light for You. Teach us by their example
to be faithful in the big things and the little things so our lives will
become effective salt and light to people we come in contact with in our
daily walk. Amen.
Grace & Peace,
Mike
jmhoskins@gmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org
2012-10-11 |
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