March 5, 2014: Wilderness Challenge / Salted with Fire? Huh?

Mark 9:30-50

Amplified Bible (AMP)

30 They went on from there and passed along through Galilee. And He did not wish to have anyone know it,

31 For He was [engaged for the time being in] teaching His disciples. He said to them, The Son of Man is being delivered into the hands of men, and they will put Him to death; and when He has been killed, after three days He will rise [from death].

32 But they did not comprehend what He was saying, and they were afraid to ask Him [what this statement meant].

33 And they arrived at Capernaum; and when [they were] in the house, He asked them, What were you discussing and arguing about on the road?

34 But they kept still, for on the road they had discussed and disputed with one another as to who was the greatest.

35 And He sat down and called the Twelve [apostles], and He said to them, If anyone desires to be first, he must be last of all, and servant of all.

36 And He took a little child and put him in the center of their group; and taking him in [His] arms, He said to them,

37 Whoever in My name and for My sake accepts and receives and welcomes one such child also accepts and receives and welcomes Me; and whoever so receives Me receives not only Me but Him Who sent Me.

38 John said to Him, Teacher, we saw a man who does not follow along with us driving out demons in Your name, and we forbade him to do it, because he is not one of our band [of Your disciples].

39 But Jesus said, Do not restrain or hinder or forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in My name will soon afterward be able to speak evil of Me.

40 For he who is not against us is for us.

41 For I tell you truly, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to and bear the name of Christ will by no means fail to get his reward.

42 And whoever causes one of these little ones (these believers) who acknowledge and cleave to Me to stumble and sin, it would be better (more profitable and wholesome) for him if a [huge] millstone were hung about his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.

43 And if your hand puts a stumbling block before you and causes you to sin, cut it off! It is more profitable and wholesome for you to go into life [that is really worthwhile] maimed than with two hands to go to hell (Gehenna), into the fire that cannot be put out.

45 And if your foot is a cause of stumbling and sin to you, cut it off! It is more profitable and wholesome for you to enter into life [that is really worthwhile] crippled than, having two feet, to be cast into hell (Gehenna).

47 And if your eye causes you to stumble and sin, pluck it out! It is more profitable and wholesome for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell (Gehenna),

48 Where their worm [which preys on the inhabitants and is a symbol of the wounds inflicted on the man himself by his sins] does not die, and the fire is not put out.

49 For everyone shall be salted with fire.

50 Salt is good (beneficial), but if salt has lost its saltness, how will you restore [the saltness to] it? Have salt within yourselves, and be at peace and live in harmony with one another.

What does it mean to be “salted with fire?”

I cut and pasted the following from the blog, "Coffee Stains on My Bible." 

Salt is a metaphor, and to understand the metaphor, we should consider what the word means literally. Salt is a preservative and a means of adding flavor. Fire refines, purifies, and destroys. It also gives light and warmth. So what is it to be “salted with fire?”

I think it’s several things. To be “salted with fire” might mean to be preserved, refined, and purified. It might mean to even have some things destroyed, in order that we may be refined. It might also mean that we might add “flavor” to the world around us — the savor of grace, which often comes only from having endured a period of suffering. Or we might discover deeper understanding and offer that to the world, by offering “light,” and comfort, by adding “warmth.”

But it can also mean that we go through periods of being destroyed—so that we may be rebuilt more and more into the image of Christ. I was just talking with someone today about this, how God allows us to walk through seasons of total destruction, only to find that, walking with Christ, we rise from the ashes, discovering more beauty, more hope, and more glory than we ever thought possible. To be “salted with fire” seems to me, at least, to be a metaphor for the refining, purifying experience of suffering.

Some people come through a time of suffering with a deeper faith and deeper passion for God than ever before. But some find it is just too much, and they walk away.

They lose their saltiness.

As I read this passage, I am, once again, filled with more questions than answers. But one thing I know: Jesus says that “everyone” will be salted with fire. Whatever this metaphor really means, it is a universal experience for all of humanity. And the hope is that, when we go through periods of trial by fire, we will come out still “salty.” Still able to offer the preserving grace of the gospel to a world in need, and the delicious savor of Christ to a world that doesn’t even know what it’s hungry for.

This explanation makes tons of sense to me. I can't add anything.

Day two of the wilderness challenge was okay I guess but my main goal is to spend a LOT of time in prayer and so far, I am falling short of that goal. For two days, I have been allowing my schedule to prevent me from spending the added time in prayer. So today I will fix that. I will letcha know how that went tomorrow!!!

Okay, I will be transparent and say that as I think of things to give up during this wilderness challenge, coffee is coming to the forefront. So I am going to wean myself off of coffee. Starting with half caff tomorrow. Down to hot water in place of coffee. Pray for me, ya'll!!!

"Dear Jesus, I am having a slow start to this wilderness challenge. But in spite of my weakness, I am going forward. In spite of my fears of failure. And I am very excited about what You are going to do in me in the next 38 days and afterwards! I am pretty pathetic. But in my weakness, You are made strong! And You have an awesome 38 days planned for me! I love You because You first loved me. I love You for drawing me to You. Thank You for everything and I mean everything! I want the garbage to be burned out of my life by Your purging fire! Ouch! But bring it on, because I don't want to wind up burning in hell because I wouldn't allow Your purging fire to touch me while down here on earth! Praise You, Jesus!!! AMEN!"