S - “You
are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can
you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as
worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot
be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a
lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In
the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone
will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:13-16 NLT
O -
Salt and light - both essential to our lives on earth. Both consistent in their
natures. Jesus thinks that our lives should hold properties as essential and
consistent as salt and light … dynamics
which are critical to us and to our world. In his teaching and living Jesus
repeatedly identified one primary instruction (salt?) and one primary
commandment (light?). The instruction: do not judge. All judgment
is deferred to the last day; and even then none of us are the judge. The
commandment: love all unconditionally. Regardless of who we encounter the
assignment never changes. Love the brothers and sisters, love
your neighbors and love your enemies.
A -
What if the flavor and preservative of our lives was the salt of not judging?
What kind of thinking, living and speaking would shake out of my life for the
good of all? How many relationships would be preserved? How much unity and
welcome would be tasted by others and maybe even inspired in others? What if the light that shone unflickering
from our daily living was the light of unconditional love? What kind of
goodness would be revealed and bestowed on my fellow citizens of earth? How
much kindness, hope and beauty would lighten my life and the lives of those
around me? Why not refuse the light-blocking "basket" of conditional
love and the "worthless" taste of judgment? This is how he lived
every day with everyone. Not only does Jesus think I should do this. He insists
I live this way too; and has committed himself to helping me day by day.
P -
Great and Good God,
I admit that you are completely amazing.
Thank you for sending Jesus to clarify your person and purposes. I welcome him
and the transformation in my thinking, loving, speaking and living he calls the
entire world to. I accept the me changing and world changing instruction and
commandment. I want to live as salt and light in Jesus and in his name,
Steve
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