SCRIPTURE

Studied: Luke 14 

OBSERVATION

Luke 14:34-35 ~ Salt is good, but if it no longer tastes like salt, how can it be made to taste salty again? It is no longer good for the soil or even for the manure pile. People simply throw it out. If you have ears, pay attention!

APPLICATION

Jesus had just explained to the crowds following Him what it really meant to be a disciple. Linked very closely with that explanation, He wanted them to know that He was also concerned about those who decide to follow Him and then fall by the wayside. In an earlier devotional I discussed how some may make a decision for Christ, and once they feel like ‘their ticket is punched for heaven’ then they return back to their old ways. Jesus said in these verses that when someone does something like this they are no good for anything. Taking that into account, I feel like we can deduce that fellow Christians would turn their backs on someone like that because they have defaulted on a decision that Christians thought they were serious/sincere about. To their old friends that knew them as they were, imagine how they must be looking at them and saying “you only thought that you were looking for a different life, now you want us to trust you and accept you back into our lives? Go away, for we can’t trust you”. We would truly be of no real value to either group because we can’t get our hearts and souls on one side of the fence or the other. Another verse says, let our “yeahs be yeah and our nays be nay”, in other words when we are led to making a decision and we make it, stick to it and give it all you can. Jesus is looking for folk who accept the gift that He has given to us, and to live a life dedicated to Him. This will not only bring honor to God, but allow the individual to shine in the eyes of those that see a changed life so that they too may see the need for changing their lives. I believe that God is looking for ‘Followers’ or ‘Disciples’ not just folk that make decisions and make no commitment to live up to that decision.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus I thank You for Your Holy Spirit that You have given to guide me and be with me each and every day, to help me overcome those obstacles that may otherwise trip me up and cause me to walk in ways that are not pleasing to You. Please continue to help me be a warrior for You, a shining light and example to others. Help me to never be a stumbling block to another, and please help me to always honor my commitments and decisions. Please direct me so that I will always be effective in my witness to others, allowing Your light to be evident in anything I may say or do. May