God calls us to enrich the lives of those He brings into our midst; indeed, we are to be seasoning. As fathers, it’s vital to embody our calling by being the supportive and guiding figures our families require. First and foremost, let’s embody the role of fathers who cultivate a loving atmosphere within our homes. This involves showing love to our wives by sacrificially giving of ourselves, creating an environment marked by love and respect. This love should be selfless, reflecting the profound love Christ has for the church.
Moving forward, let’s also embrace the responsibility of being fathers who nourish with God’s Word. Regularly share and discuss God’s Word in our families, prioritizing the instillation of biblical values in our children. In doing so, we aim to create a home where God’s teachings hold a central and influential role. Lastly, let’s fully embody the role of fathers as sources of encouragement. We can achieve this by uplifting our children with positive words, providing guidance, and discipline that aligns with God’s wisdom. Fathers, let’s steadfastly support, creating an environment where our children feel loved and secure in their identity and purpose.
Essentially, as a father and husband, biblical “seasoning” involves enriching family ties with love, God’s Word, and positive encouragement. Like salt enhances flavor, your role is to bring out the best in your family, making their lives more meaningful.
Topic: Salty Saints
Verse: Luke 14:34
Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?
Today’s devotional starts with calling out the necessity of salt. It speaks to how “without it, our cardiovascular and nervous systems would stop working”. We learn how “salt gives life, preserves life, and flavors life” as “one of the most important minerals found on planet Earth”. So, we need to be the dads who have the saving, preserving, and flavoring influence everywhere we go.
Seasoning by Embracing Our Identities as Salt:
Matthew 5:13 (NIV) - "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."
Acknowledge that as believers, we’re called to be the salt of the earth, bringing positive influence and preserving godly values. Just as salt flavors and preserves, our identity in Christ serves a similar purpose.
Seasoning by Living a Godly and Upright Life:
Philippians 2:15 (NIV) - "so that you may become blameless and pure, 'children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.' Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky."
Strive to live a life that reflects God’s righteousness. In a world filled with moral challenges, our upright conduct will stand out and serve as a beacon of light, just as salt stands out for its distinctive taste.
Seasoning by Impacting Others Positively:
Matthew 5:16 (NIV) - "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Actively seek opportunities to positively influence others. Our good deeds and acts of kindness should be evident to those around us, ultimately glorifying God. Be intentional about making a difference in the lives of others through our actions.
Living up to the title “Seasoning Life: A Biblical Guide to Living as Salt in the World” involves embracing your identity, maintaining a godly lifestyle, and purposefully impacting the world for good.
Today’s devotional closes sharing how “much of the salt in Israel came out of the Dead Sea” and how it “was mixed with noxious minerals that spoiled its purity and flavor”. That salt, rendered useless and discarded, highlights the danger of worldly pollution hindering our calling to be transformative salt. As fathers, let’s actively resist dilution from worldly influences, ensuring our full strength in being salt that saves, preserves, and enriches lives. Don’t let the things of this world weaken our ability to fulfill God’s purpose for us.
“We are the salt of the earth, mind you, not the suage. Our ministry is truly to cleanse and not just to change the taste.”
Vance Havner
