Leviticus 1-3 / Mark 1:29-2:12 / Psalm 35:17-28 / Proverbs 9:13-18
Leviticus 2:13 Season all your grain offerings with salt to remind you of God’s eternal covenant. Never forget to add salt to your grain offerings.
When I read the above verse, I was intrigued by the reference to salt and how it might relate to God’s eternal covenant with us. I know that we are told in Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people.”
I understand this verse points to our effectiveness as followers of Jesus Christ in the earth. We must bring an expression of Christ (which is a counter-cultural expression) so that we can affect and change the world around us. But I wasn’t clear on how this related to the covenant. Before I share what I discovered, let’s look at another passage that came to mind that also offered an understanding of the eternal covenant.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will do it.
Sanctify = To separate from profane things and dedicate to God
Preserve (be kept complete) = to keep one in the state in which he is
These two concepts – sanctify and preserve – are what the New Covenant through Christ is about. It is Jesus Christ in us that allows us to be dedicated to God. It is Jesus Christ through us that completes the work begun when we accept the gift of salvation.
Another verse I love is Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.
Another word for what’s being described here is Saving Grace, which we’ve talked about before. Once we’ve entered the New Covenant, or Saving Grace, it is God Himself who both separates us for His work and keeps us as His own. Grace saves and Grace keeps. This does away with works salvation, which is no salvation at all!
So, my questions to you are, “Are you seasoned with salt?” “Are you standing counter to the culture and bringing Heaven’s experience into earth?”
These are things I’m learning to do more each day!
