OUTLINE:
A Godly, Righteous Attitude
It’s not only one of humility, but one of compassion towards our fellow man.
Gracious Words Show Love!
We must ask for His Spirit to fill us and guide us into His steadfast love. In this way, we can operate as the preserving “salt of the earth” that we were designed to be as born again believers.
“Have Salt In Yourselves”
Let’s pay attention as to why there is suffering in our lives, both personally and as a country. God just might want us to repent and stop living for ourselves and instead to act as salt on behalf of our people.
Whom Do You Love?
We each should ask ourselves; what has our heart been set on lately?? Are you regularly setting your heart on the Lord, or on yourself and the things of this world??
Whom Do You Love?
We must acquire God’s love as our motivation to be rescued from slavery to false lovers in this world.
Cheating on God?
Are you looking to the world and its ways to provide financial excess?? (not being content with where God has you, but wanting to get ahead and have some wealth, do you turn to the world’s ways?) – If so, you are cheating on God!
Cheating on God?
Are you looking for love in all the wrong places?? (are you seeking shortcuts to gain love through lust, or are you turning to the world to be loved and included and accepted?) – If so, you are cheating on God!
“Have Salt In Yourselves”
Are we so busy living for self, doing whatever is necessary to maintain our comfort level, that we ignore our calling to be the salt of the earth??
“Have Salt In Yourselves”
Why aren’t we eagerly and passionately praying for our people (like Daniel did)?
Do we not love them???
The Lord Deserves Steadfast Love in Return!
God knows when we are loving Him for what He can give us! How sad does that make a parent when their child is unappreciative and doing that ugly thing?! Hos 6:1-6, 7:14
God Is Good!
But what can we do but repent from the heart? Thank God that He gives us such a gracious, simple rescue from our evil thoughts. He is eager to forgive us and restore us! (i.e.- Joel 2:11-27)
God Is Good!
He’s waiting like the father waited for the prodigal son to return (Lk 15:11-32). He’s eagerly looking for our hearts to return to Him alone as our Provider.
Fine Speech
Truly encouraging words can protect and even help preserve the hearts, and faith, of others… whether believers or unbelievers.
Our Lord’s Fine Speech
Jesus masterfully reached out to sinners with gracious words, and He added reminders of the truth of their sinful situations to help them be humble going forward.
Always Have Gracious Speech!
Pr 16:24Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Col 4:6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Always Have Gracious Speech!
These gracious kinds of words are sweet as honey because they do not seek strife, but just the opposite. THEY ARE A CALL TO LOVE.
Always Have Gracious Speech!
Fine, gracious speech is about the well-being of the one you are speaking to, to the exclusion of self.
Always Have Gracious Speech!
Even if we’re being insulted by others, we choose to look past that and treat them in the undeserved kindness WE were treated with by the Lord.