Bible Ballistics: BBs #442 Salt Or Vinegar???

 

“Let your speech

be alway with grace,

seasoned with salt,

that ye may know how

ye ought to answer

every man.”   Colossians 4:6

I think of this verse often, as I encounter life; it seems that so many today think that Christians, as the old adage about children said, “ought to be seen and not heard”. Well, Jesus told us that we are to be His witnesses wherever we go!

“But ye shall receive power,

after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:

and ye shall be witnesses unto me

both in Jerusalem,

and in all Judaea,

and in Samaria,

and unto the uttermost part

of the earth.” Acts 1:8

We are saved, called and equipped to do God’s work, God’s way—to share the Good News that Jesus saves. Yet often we find ourselves in places of conflict and/or confrontation! How are we to respond in those situations? We are to share the truth in love with the grace that God provides through His indwelling Holy Spirit. Sometimes it’s most difficult to maintain our composure and our spirit of grace, but it is what God has called and equipped us to do. Peter and John faced a situation and give us both a great example and great advise.

“But Peter and John answered and said unto them,

Whether it be right in the sight of God

to hearken unto you

more than unto God,

judge ye.

20 For we cannot but speak the things

which we have seen

and heard.” Acts 4:19-20

We can rely on God’s Spirit to provide wisdom to speak, and the control to guide our manners and express “grace, seasoned with salt”! I find that the problem often isn’t the “speaking” part, but that “grace, seasoned with salt”, especially when we find ourselves tempted to react with “vinegar” rather than salt—and there is a difference: sprinkle a little salt on a dish and it can make it more palatable—but douse it in vinegar — that’s a different thing! Salt is good, yet even with grace, they must both be used with a loving attitude. We are to be a reflection of the Savior, who dwells within us, to the world around us—even when they don’t want to hear it or see it! We are to speak “the truth in love” (See Ephesians 4:15) in all our interactions—and sometimes that can test all our metal!!!

So, as we set about our daily schedule, whether you’re headed to work, or school, staying at home, running errands or caring for others, may we each be deliberate in our efforts to share the light of Jesus in the darkness, no matter the situation or provocation that we may encounter! May Jesus be seen in all we say and do! His coming is imminent—are you ready??? Am I salt or vinegar? Let’s bring HIM glory—He will supply the grace and love! Amen!

“Whether therefore ye

eat,

or drink,

or whatsoever ye do,

do all to the glory of God.”     1 Corinthians 15:57-58