OUTLINE:
Humility Towards The Word!
If you submit to the Word as vital food for your soul each day, there will be a wonderful cumulative effect. The Lord will bless you and open your eyes to more and more of His grace and truth. The result is greater and greater spiritual health and peace over time! Is 55:10-11, Jn 8:32
Humility Towards The Word!
If you’re anxious or depressed on a regular basis, may I submit to you that you need to submit to the Word of God. This doesn’t just mean reading the Word, but reading the Word with a humble attitude, always knowing you still have a lot to learn.
The Patience of Fine Speech
We are loving and patient towards those who are still ignorant of our Lord, because the Lord was loving and patient with us before we knew the Lord!
Perspective!
As we live in the ways of the Word of God, including the fine list mentioned in Col 3:12, we eagerly await the arrival of more people into the kingdom of God!
Practical Results
Fine speech can open up a crack in the soul of another, that they might actually listen to the Good News of God.
Gracious Words Show Love!
Gracious words are powerful for the soul because they’re an expression of love! And God’s love shakes people!
Gracious Words Show Love!
That’s the power of thinking first and having gracious speech. Allow His love to take over in your soul before you speak. Allow His Spirit to rule your soul in that moment! Eph 5:18-19, Col 3:15-16
Gracious Words Show Love!
Don’t be afraid to let others know you care about them! If you are afraid, then WHY are you afraid?
“Seasoned With Salt”
Think of how much salt makes plain food taste better. Seasoned words will be much more readily received, as we speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15
“Seasoned With Salt”
Salt is one of God’s natural preservatives. In a spiritual sense, having gracious speech can help keep the soul of others from spoiling. Mt 5:13, Mk 9:50
“Have Salt In Yourselves”
We must utilize the opportunity the Lord has given us… we mustn’t waste it away and become tasteless because we choose to be selfish or we let the world drag us down.
“Have Salt In Yourselves”
God has graciously granted all of us the qualities and the power of a spiritual preservative!! And not only can we help preserve one soul at a time, but we can also persist in His grace and truth to help preserve our land and our people! Gen 18:20-32, 2Chr 7:14
“Have Salt In Yourselves”
We are to recognize and turn from our wicked ways, and be salty again, preserving the land. What a great privilege and responsibility… to ultimately bring God’s patience and deliverance to our nation so that more may come to Christ over time.
Perspective!
As we live in the ways of the Word of God, including the fine list mentioned in Col 3:12, we eagerly await the arrival of more people into the kingdom of God!
Fine Speech
Truly encouraging words can protect and even help preserve the hearts, and faith, of others… whether believers or unbelievers.
Perspective!
We have the opportunity to help set people free from the devil’s grasp on their souls…. and that’s not an overstatement, that’s exactly what it is! 2Ti 2:24-26
“Seasoned With Salt”
“Although our language should always be gracious, it should be equally honest and without hypocrisy.” – William MacDonald
Jesus is our primary example of this, ala Jn 4:10,16, 5:14, 8:11.
William MacDonald on Jn 1:14
“The Savior was full of grace and truth. On the one hand, full of undeserved kindness for others, He was also completely honest and upright, and He never excused sin or approved evil. To be completely gracious and at the same time completely righteous is something that only God can be.”