Living In Peace

Living in Peace

Mark 9:49-50, NLT

For everyone will be tested with fire. 50Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.

Setting the Scene

In mentioning salt, Jesus was continuing his metaphor about being “tested with fire” (“tested” is also translated “salted” or “seasoned”). The disciples would be tested and purified; here the salt symbolized the disciples and the work they had been called to do.

In the first century, salt was a condiment and a preservative for food. Jesus had told the disciples, “You are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13, NLT), making the point that they were to be life-producing agents in a dying world and life-preserving agents in a sin-spoiled world. Salt had commercial value, but the impure salt taken from the sea was susceptible to deterioration, leaving only flavorless crystals. When that happened, the flavor could not be returned, rendering it worthless.

The disciples had the responsibility to maintain their saltiness (usefulness) by staying close to Jesus. As the disciples allowed God to purify them, they, in turn, would be purifying agents in the world, resulting in “peace with each other.” Instead of arguing among themselves, as they had on the road, they would serve others and remain at peace with each other. This peace among the disciples would be of vital importance after Jesus’ return to heaven (see 1 Thessalonians 5:13). The future of the church would be left in their hands.

Getting Personal

Think of two or three church disputes in your past. What were the issues? How were they resolved?

When have you been upset about something that happened at church (perhaps something a leader said or did)? How did you respond? How should you have responded?

What can you do to “live in peace” with difficult brothers and sisters in Christ?

Salt can preserve food; it also can enhance flavor. Jesus used those qualities to highlight the importance of his followers living in peace. We need to work together to reach the world, to bring life and healing to men and women instead of allowing petty disputes to divide us. Many churches split over issues as trivial as music choices, worship times, and minor budget items. Living in peace is one way the watching world can see Christ at work in us. He wants his body to be unified.

Talking to God

Call on your Father to help you with issues that arise among your brothers and sisters in your church family. Ask him to help you be slow to anger and quick to forgive and be a peacemaker.