Salty

Salty. I guess now a day’s we’re used to that word meaning bitter, mean, aggressive, annoying, etc.
That’s not the sort of salty I’m trying to be.
Mineral salt enhances, compliments and perfects food. The flavor of a meal is about a million times better if you add just a pinch of salt. Even in desserts. The Bible tells us we Christians are the salt of the earth. And that doesn’t mean we’re to be mean. XD

Matthew 5:13 says “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodded under foot of men.”

It’s odd how time has changed the implication of the word. The sort of salty people we run into on the internet or etc. (wherever else you run in to salty people) are exactly the OPPOSITE of the salt that we are called and are, in fact, almost the exact salt that is thrown underfoot. What use is empty salt? Nothing but to create traction on the floor in the ice or snow, and then it is forgotten.

Matthew 5 goes on to say “Ye are the light of the world…”
We are both the salt AND the light. We need to notice something particular about this. Light exposes dirt that was hidden in darkness. And when poured on a wound, salt burns.

Both light and salt aren’t always pleasant. Which brings me to say this in a very bold voice.

THERE ARE TOO MANY FLAVORLESS CHRISTIANS!

It absolutely makes me mad when Christians are neutral in places in life where God has a firm stand. STOP BEING DULL! STOP HIDING! We Christians are called to live life according to God’s guidance and for His glory. That will result in us SHINING A LIGHT which in turn then exposes what others are doing wrong.

Guys we are not called to judge those around us, but often people DO get convicted when they see our lives, or the way we live and the things we do or don’t do make them uncomfortable. Girls there is NO SHAME in living a life that you believe is right and in turn making people around you uncomfortable.

There are so many different branches this conversation goes so I’m just gonna do a couple.

What and why do you do the things you do?

Our attitude is so important when we speak, as well as the way we treat those around us. Why are you doing or not doing the things you choose? Is it to spite others, or to feel better about yourself? To flaunt the fact that you are better than them, more strict, less liberated and hold more tightly to “the rules”? This isn’t right. This is the wrong way to “convict” others. Poking fun at the things they do or insulting them, rebuking them at what they do, and then saying “Now see, I don’t do those things.” That’s not going to change anyone, and that’s packing yourself with a whole lot of pride and making a whole lot of enemies. Jesus doesn’t call us to judge others, or to force our thought on them, however He does call us to…

Do it the right way.

Live. Just live. Live out what you believe. If you don’t read certain types of books, don’t read them. Don’t shrink away from mentioning that you would rather not, and don’t compromise for the sake of guarding someone’s feelings. You are in charge of you, and there is nothing in this world that is worth compromising our convictions that God has given us as individuals.
Another example is watching movies. You may be very limited in options about the movies you can watch, but other people you know don’t have those limits. They do not have the same convictions, and you choose not to watch the things they watch, but they may hate that. They feel judged. The fact that it bothers them is not of your concern though, if your motive is only to please God with how you live. As long as you treat them with the love of Christ.
One more example. Guarding hearts. This is such a novel, extra idea. So many people give me the oddest looks, and almost tend to treat me like I’m a weirdo. Maybe to them I am. Do I believe that guarding your heart for when or if God guides you to your future spouse is the right way to go about it? Yes. With all my heart. And I probably won’t be the most ecstatic when a friend starts dating someone they won’t be marrying. I won’t show my approval. I don’t approve, so then how could I try and pretend? And I’m not going to change what I approve of for you. It’s my conviction and I’m going to be answering to God for myself. Not for you and not for my friends, but only for me, and I’m not willing to compromise convictions to make my friends happy. So in turn, a lot of people stop telling me about those things. But that’s fine with me. I don’t bring it up. It’s not my business. But I will live what I believe.

Enough with the examples. The bottom line is this. BE convicting. Do not hesitate to stand for what you believe in. Don’t compromise. When you have an opportunity to share your beliefs, share them. When asked about what you think, don’t glide over it so not to rile people. SHINE your light, expose the dirt and grim in life simply by living your best.

So often Christain’s say they would be willing to die for Christ. Are we really willing to die for Christ? To suffer persecution and prison and pain and then face death for His name and His priceless blood? If so, then why do we so often hesitate to take verbal persecution? We don’t say what we know to be the truth. We stay shallow, say neutral. We don’t want anyone to start throwing insults at us, arguing with us and opposing us.

STOP being neutral. SHINE your light. CONVICT somebody. Don’t blend in. When people see the fire that burns in your life they should SEE that you are different, and they should be curious about it. If you are not facing opposition or verbal persecution, you are in danger dull salt, and a hidden light. Don’t hide. Shine on somebody, salt something.

I don’t know about you but I don’t want to be thrown under foot to be melted and forgotten. I want to make a difference, effect others. I want to EARN those verbal chains. I want to know that when serious persecution comes, I will stand for what matters most.

Live, Laugh and Love girls.
~Libby.