A World Worth Saving

We are different. We all look different. Some of us attract attention, while others are average to the point of invisible. Some stand and act as straight as an arrow, while others are stooped, or cannot stand without help or supervision. We look at things differently; some are attracted to shiny new cars; others, the shiny hair of a Golden Retriever; and for others, even the shadows cannot soften the shine of the homeless lady’s cart. Yes, our hearts are drawn to particular things, which make us all seem different.

Some differences take a much closer inspection. For most people, with high blood pressure, they are encouraged by their physician to reduce their salt intake. Eating too much salt raises the amount of sodium in the blood and can disrupt the natural healthy removal of water through the kidneys. The extra fluid can elevate the blood pressure and can place increased strain on the vessels leading to the kidneys.

For some, like myself, with low blood pressure, we are encouraged by our physicians to increase our salt intake. The medical profession has a standard of care but each individual patient must be evaluated independently for best treatment options. Whether, too much or too little salt, both can present a tipping point for health concerns. So, for me, I love the complex and bold taste of sea salt!

Even Easter presents varying opinions and descriptions, once again demonstrating our differences. For some, the Easter Bunny comes to mind, while others see it as sign of spring and new life. It is wonderful to see the pageantry, and hear the beautiful music of Easter, but Jesus has some very specific things to say about “The Coming Kingdom” and being prepared.

In Romans 3:23 we learn that “all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God,” and for that reason, we are united with the need for a Savior and Redeemer. Jesus came to Earth to be the blood sacrifice for our sin, and His Resurrection claims the victory over sin and death. We are united in that need!

Jesus talks about those who “get it” and those who don’t in Matthew 5:13, “Your lives are like salt among the people. But if you, like salt, become bland, how can your ‘saltiness’ be restored? Flavorless salt is good for nothing and will be thrown out and trampled on by others.”

We continue the discussion of a life of salt in Luke 17. Jesus is being questioned by the Pharisees about the beginning of the kingdom of God. The Pharisees are the religious leaders of the day, and quite content with their position, and earthly possessions. Jesus illustrates the approaching beginning of the kingdom of God like a flash of lightning that instantly lights up the sky. It is also described like the coming flood in Noah’s time, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah during Lot’s day. They are warned to be ready, and warned about turning back for worldly possessions.

After telling the Pharisees about the impending, and sometimes surprising arrival of eternity, Jesus in Luke17:32 directs them to, “Remember Lot’s wife.” Obviously, Jesus wants us to learn a spiritual lesson about Lot’s wife. Jesus does not tell us in scripture to remember David, Abraham, Ruth, or Joshua, and yet He commands us to look back at Lot’s wife. What possible thing could Jesus want us to remember? She was married to Lot and lived in Sodom. When she disobeyed God, she was instantly judged and turned to a pillar of salt. Is that all we are to learn?

Let’s study further and see if there is something we can apply for today.

Lot’s wife certainly could not use the excuse that she didn’t know about God. Point of fact, her husband’s Uncle Abraham was a faithful servant of God. She watched Abraham at the altar and observed his worship. While Lot was sometimes spiritually inconsistent, the Bible calls Lot “a righteous man.” This information should serve to warn us that eating lunch with the Preacher, or having devout family members, will not save your soul. We must have a first-person relationship with God.

Lot’s wife also had a tremendous knowledge of God, and saw and heard how Abraham and her husband approached Him. But knowledge without action leaves you lost. Sadly the information never journeyed from her head to her heart. Hopefully, those in and out of church will hear this sad pitiful testimony and open their hearts to His radically changing love.

There are many additional lessons from the story of Lot’s wife, but most compelling is the last morning of her life. On the day of Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction, God sent his angels to lead Lot and his family to safety. The angels literally took the hand of each person and dragged them out of the city. The warning of “don’t look back” was given and all knew the consequences. Lot’s wife had left the city but the city was still in her heart. All of her worldly possessions remained in the city. Her disobedience was met with swift and pure judgment. She was turned to a pillar of salt.

I am sure her family believed she was a child of God. But when we commit to God, there is genuine change and the allures of the previous life will not be enjoyable. There is conviction, and we cry out to God for relief.

We as Christians should be different. We should dress, act, walk and talk, differently than the world. We should not look longingly at our old life, but be salt, flavor-filled, and boldly sharing God’s love with a world worth saving.

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