Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. —James 3:11-12
There are only a few things more refreshing than coming across a cool mountain stream on a hot summer day. There is something very pure and healing about it. On the other hand, there are only a few things worse than getting a gulp of saltwater while swimming in the ocean. It can dehydrate you, and leaves a very nasty taste behind. Saltwater has its purposes, but drinking it is not one of them.
What James is saying is that what comes from our mouth is reflective of what is in our heart. One of the easiest ways to tell how much we have hatred towards a person is to reflect upon what we have said about them. It isn’t easy, and we may not like it, but it is true.
What we have to realize is that change comes from both the inside out and the outside in. In other words, if we want to change what we say, we have to focus on the heart. There is a deeper issue than just the words. However, our hearts are also changed when we bite our tongues. It is a two way street.
If people were to determine whether your heart is a spring of fresh water or salt water based solely on your words, what decision would they come to?
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4 comments:
Hi Dustin
I have wanted to do this for a while. I enjoy your sermons. I have a question but it is not about the last sermon. I am confused about Sabbath Day. Is it Sunday? Or is it just convenient so we follow it? My understanding is that the Pope of years ago changed it. I wonder about our path if we follow mans rules and not Gods.
Connie Lowman
Connie,
Thanks for leaving your comment. The Sabbath Day is a confusing matter for many people. The Jewish Sabbath was on Saturday. The easy way to remember it is that Sunday is the first day of the week, and that the Sabbath comes at the end of the week--hence the seventh day of creation was a day of rest for God.
Christians started celebrating (worshiping) on Sundays because of the resurrection. This happened way before any 'official' popes came to be.
Maybe the real question is how should we observe the Sabbath today? We are not under the old covenant (Pre-Jesus), so we have a lot of freedom. Our modern schedules don't do much to help putting a standard rhythm in place for our Sabbath rest. So, we generally recommend that each family be intentional about including regular Sabbath rest in their schedules. We don't see it merely as a law, but more importantly, a matter of personal and family health.
Sabbath rest takes on many forms. One form is simply rest. It is a time for your body to catch up and recover. Another important element is a time for seeking God. This may be an extended quiet time, a family prayer time, or one of many other creative option. And we can't rule out recreation as a form of Sabbath rest as well. While we probably overdo it on that end of things in America, it is still important.
Does that answer your question? If it raised some more questions, please feel free to ask them. Since this is a public post, if anyone else would like to comment on this as well, please feel free to do so.
Hi Dustin
Sunday is the day of worship but I was concerned that I was not honoring God. The Sabbath is very important to God and His followers. I don't want to make God fit me but I want to be what God wants me to be. I know just enough to be dangerous and unsure.
Thanks Connie Lowman
Connie, I think is very wise that you are asking this question. I wish more people wrestled with this issue of the Sabbath, as we really don't take enough time for 'true rest' in America. Our rest is generally just 'vegging out' rather than truly being refreshed and strengthened through the way God has called us to live. I hope that your quest to understand the Sabbath will lead you to God's true rest.
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