Journal Luke 14 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: “Salt is good …. but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away.
He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Luke 14:34-35
Observation: I have noticed that there are a number of sayings from Scriptures that make me scratch my head even though I think I “get it…”
Analysis: Tasteless salt. I can’t think of any worth I can assign to tasteless salt. Another reference, probably about the same time, identified believers this way: “YOU are the salt of the Earth (Matt 5:13 Sermon on the mount).
Digging into the Sermon on the Mount, there is a sub-text concerning Godliness and Ungodliness; Righteousness and Unrighteousness—about being an Authentic Believer or not…
Examining myself, asking for illumination from the Holy Spirit, looking into my faults, sounds like a joyless exercise. Could very well be, but from experience I can say when it is joyless, it is because I have forgotten the Gospel and the Doctrines of Grace.
This morning in devotions with my wife, God brought to mind TULIP and what each letter means. At the end of reviewing TULIP and especially the Perseverance of the Saints, I realize I need to stir my heart with Joy. However, realizing this and actually stirring takes effort, effort that I am still trying to find.
It could be that many are like what I feel. Maybe some aren’t even trying because they don’t know how to either Examine themselves or Stir themselves up with Joy in the Gospel.
Prayer: Lord God, please wake up my soul!! Wake up my soul….
Please reveal my sin, give me the Joy of your salvation, magnify your Name through me.
AMEN
Rick Sutton