Salad Bar Faith
Some people approach what they choose to believe like they would a salad bar. They pick and choose what they like and disregard the rest. The problem with this approach is that God doesn’t give us a choice of what to believe but of whether to believe. We must be careful not to confuse these two things.
For example, people take issue with such things as whether or not God created everything in just six twenty-four-hour days, or whether there was a literal Adam and Eve, or whether Noah preserved all land animals during a worldwide flood, or whether Jesus is the only way to heaven. These things are questioned by some Christians even though they are presented forthrightly in the text of Scripture.
Nevertheless, many feel free to amend what God has said and still call it faith!
Of course, we can believe whatever we choose. But when we choose to contradict what God has communicated in His word, we have chosen doubt over faith. Once again, God doesn’t give us a choice of what to believe but whether to believe!
So, the next time someone scoffs at you for believing the Bible, explain to them that God hasn’t given you the choice of what to believe but whether to believe, and you have chosen faith.
"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right" (2 Timothy 3:16, NLT).
Seasoned Talk
There are a lot of "seasoning salts," but there is only one "Seasoned Salt": Lawry’s!
The history of Lawry’s Seasoned Salt goes back over 80 yrs to 1938 when the famous restaurant, Lawry’s The Prime Rib, opened in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. Lawrence Frank, the inventor, developed the blend initially for prime rib, but his family was pleased to find that the salt didn’t only season prime rib to perfection, but enhanced the taste of many other foods as well. The blend contains salt, sugar, paprika, turmeric, onion, and garlic.
Once the blend was perfected, they put Lawry’s Seasoned Salt on the table right next to the salt and pepper. The new seasoning was so popular that guests took to stealing it and bringing it home with them. People just couldn't get enough of this stuff.
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (Colossians 4:6, NIV).
Are the words we speak, especially in our witnessing, so appealing that others just can't get enough? Are others so blessed by their interactions with us that they just keep coming back for more? Or do our words repulse and repel others, like spoiled milk, or maybe just leave them "meh" and unchallenged, like tasteless porridge?
The Apostle Paul thought our words should be well seasoned! As one commentator put it, "our words should be tasty and delightful," having a positive influence on all who hear them, that they might even keep coming back for more!
This can only come from preparation. Just as the folks at Lawry's worked hard to perfect their blend of spices, we must work to prepare ourselves to be ready to share the Gospel message in a way that challenges and entices the hearer. "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15, NIV).
As we share God's Word with a spiritually hungry world, let's challenge them, as did the Psalmist, saying, "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!" (Psalm 34:8, NIV).
The Richness of Scripture
If dessert makes you feel bad afterwards, someone did something wrong - and it wasn’t you. That is to say, rich desserts do not have to be heavy.
According to Chef Jeremy of MissoulaCakes.com, we can have all the yums without the gut bomb often associated with desserts. He says the trick is two-fold: layers and contrast. He claims that the full yum experience means having multiple layers with different textures.
As an example, he uses the scene from Willy Wonka where Violet is chewing the magical gum which transforms from turkey to stuffing and all the sides, then blueberry pie.
When a layered cake is done right, we can experience all of the richnes of the contrasting flavor distinctions, without the need for more fat and sugar.
Scripture is like a well crafted cake, rich and full of layers and textures — everything from biblical history, the Law, and prophecy, to poetry and proverbs, filled beginning to end with moral and eccelsiastical instruction, all layered with measures of personal, communal, and even global admonition and instruction.
Some might find that all a bit "heavy" to consume. Yet the Word of God is crafted so perfectly that it fills our lives with richness, with fullness, without any of the bloat. It is meant to be savored, consumed, and digested.
To that end, Paul admonishes us to embrace the whole of scripture, with all it's richness and many textures, so that it might have its fullest impact on our lives. We can experience all of its intended nourishment without feeling heavy. And like a delectible dessert shared among friends after a lavish meal, we can delight in it with grattitude and praise.
"Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts" (Colossians 3:16, NLT).
"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" (Psalm 34:8, NIV).