TO BE IN CHRIST-THE SALT THAT YOU NEED (PART 5)

TO BE IN CHRIST – THE SALT THAT YOU NEED

(PART FIVE)

  The resurrection life of the Lord Jesus is imparted to the true believer by the presence of the Holy Spirit! The Lord Jesus said "he that believeth on me out of his inner most being shall flow rivers of living (not stagnant) water". But this spoke he of the spirit, which they that believe on him should receive for the Holy Spirit, was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified John 7:38-39. That is to say, salt at the source! Salt at the spring of the waters II Kings 2:21.

  This Ezra went up from Babylon and he was a ready scribe in the Law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given. The King granted him all of his requests according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him Ezra 7:6. It is a wonderful thing to be in such a relationship to God that everything you need for any circumstance is always yours by the good hand of your God upon you!

  For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord: to seek to teach it in Israel statutes and also judgements (Ezra 7:10). He had said in his heart, I am going to seek the mind of God in the word of God, do the will of God and teach the ways of God. For this reason he was among those whom God raised up to rebuild, cleanse and fill the temple with the worship of God and the word of God.

  The King gave him a letter. He said, I Artaxerxas the King, do make a decree to all the treasures which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the law of the God of heaven shall require of you it be done speedily! (Ezra 7:21).

  What had Ezra asked for that pure worship might be re-established in the cleansed house of God? Unto a 100 talents of silver, and to a 100 measures of wheat and to a 100 baths of wine and to a 100 baths of oil and salt without prescribing how much! He said in so many words King Artaxerxes I want a 100 of this, I want a 100 of that and 100 of the others but I must have unlimited quantities of salt! I must never run out of salt because no matter how costly, no matter how sacrificial, no matter how sincere God will accept nothing that is not seasoned with salt! I must have unlimited quantities of salt.

  Now is that not a wonderful picture? God has given all grace abounding to every good work (II Corinthians 9:8). Is it this salt that you need? Then prepare your heart with Ezra of old, to seek the law of the Lord and to do it. Know that Jesus Christ himself is all you need, in death and resurrection to cleanse and fill you and hear him say: Thus said the Lord. I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death of barren land (II Kings 2:216).

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Pastor James P. Norman Jr.