Tuesday, April 30, 2013

“SIH’s Think On These Things: Mark 9:41-50 (8)”


Mark 9:41-50 (KJV)

49) For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

50) Salt [is] good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

 

For this series we will use this very simple outline:

1.  vs 41-42 – Evidences of genuine salvation

2.  vs 43-48 – Importance of genuine salvation

3.  vs 49-50 – Absolute necessity of genuine salvation

 

In our text for this morning, we see that, if there was ever a need for each one of our lives, it is the need for spiritual quickening and forgiveness from our Almighty God.  As we can see from a quick review of our text, the symbolism of salt is used very liberally.  Remember, throughout the Bible salt is used as a preserving agent.  In those days, there was no such thing as refrigeration. Many times, to preserve meats and other food stuffs, salt was used.  

 

In the first instance (verse 49), we have a comparison of those who are salted “with fire” and those who are salted “with salt”.  Who are the ones salted “with fire”?  EVERY ONE of us, as fallen mankind, are sinful human beings who are headed for eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire…  

Rom 3:9-19  9) What then? are we better [than they]? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:19) Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 

To be salted “with fire” is teaching us that all who are yet in their sins is being preserved TO eternal, deserved judgment for their sins at the hand of Almighty God.

 

Who are the ones salted “with salt”?  We have a hint in the context that helps us understand… it is ones described as “every sacrifice”.  This refers to those who have trusted in Christ who have become “living sacrifices” in His service…  

Rom 12:1 (KJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. 

To be salted “with salt” is teaching us that we are preserved, safe and secure FROM His judgment based upon His work on the cross.

 

How sobering it is to understand that, due to our sin, we are all preserved by God while awaiting His judgment.  How wonderful it is to come to realize that we can escape His judgment and find security, peace and safety in Christ and His work…  

Col 1:21-22 (KJV)  21) And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in [your] mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled  22) In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

 

Won’t you acknowledge your sinful condition, and turn from your sins and trust in Christ and His work on the cross so that you might receive His righteousness and salvation from the wrath of God?

 

May the Lord bless us as we “Think On These Things”.

 




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