Sodium Chloride and the Chemist

When the earth was young, a chemist considered the elements and compounds which comprise all living things.  "I know what I will do," said the man.  "I will bring together Sodium and Chlorine, joining them perfectly.  They will be one:  Sodium Chloride, or NaCl.  This unity of 40% Sodium and 60% Chloride will provide flavouring for food, act as a preservative, and will have a long shelf-life."

The chemist was excited, as the close bonds between the chemicals were a picture of the intimacy he hoped to share someday with his bride.  "I will make a special place on my table for this salt," he said aloud.  He produced a crystal shaker and poured the salt into the valuable vessel.  "As long as you live, Sodium and Chloride, you shall remain together as one.  What God has joined together let not man separate."

Sodium and Chloride were pleased to remain together even as the chemist had joined them.  Had they remained alone, Sodium would have been a metal and Chlorine a gas.  Only when they were united together could they be NaCl, or salt.

A day came when two Sodium molecules walked up to NaCl.  "We've been thinking," Sodium A began.  "We've noticed your special arrangement, being displayed on the table.  We believe we have every right to be salt, just like you."

"I'm afraid that's not up to me," said Sodium Chloride.  "We were placed in this chemical arrangement by the chemist.  He's the one who provided this shaker in which we reside.  It is ordained by him that we remain here until death parts us."

"To hell with the chemist," said Sodium B.  "We do not believe in any such chemist, and if he did exist he must obviously be a bigot and a fool.  We will be salt, and we will get our own salt shaker to prove it."

It was not long before two Chlorine molecules floated up to the salt shaker on the table.  Chlorine A began:  "We've heard that you said Sodium A and Sodium B cannot be salt.  I suppose you would suggest we cannot be salt either."

"Chlorine with Chlorine could never be salt," said NaCl.  "The relationship we share is defined by our chemical properties.  To be genuine salt, the properties of the compound is 60% chlorine and 40% sodium. Two molecules of Chlorine living in a shaker or being displayed on the table does not make you salt."

"We have a problem with that," said Chlorine B, "and we will take this matter to high court."

The prosecution addressed the judge:  "Your honour, it is a grave act of discrimination that this nation will not allow Sodium and Sodium to be salt.  Equally repulsive to my clients is the notion that Chlorine and Chlorine cannot be salt either.  I demand that my clients have the opportunity to live together in a salt shaker exactly like the one provided for NaCl.  I want them to be displayed openly on the table as equals, even as nature intended."

"There is no legal restriction that prevents Sodium and Sodium from residing in a salt-shaker together," said the judge.  "Your problem is not with the laws or people of this nation but with the chemist who abides according to absolute law.  You seem to think that if Chlorine and Chlorine were to live in a salt shaker they should be recognised as salt.  But it does not take a chemist to know that is impossible."  The judge sat back for a moment in thoughtful silence.  "No doubt the day will come when Sodium and Sodium will abide together in a crystal shaker like NaCl, even displayed on the table.  But it will never, ever be salt.  Take it up with the chemist if you want, but his word is unalterable."  Down came the gavel with a crack.  "Case closed."

The Straight Way

I saw a "Mythbusters" episode during which Adam and Jamie put to test the theory it is impossible for people to walk in a straight line blindfolded.  It was comical to watch Adam and Jamie try walking, swimming, and even driving with their eyes covered.  Try as they might, they never remotely were able to travel in a straight line.  It wasn't long before they literally were walking in circles.  When the blacked out glasses or goggles came off, they were amazed how far they had veered off course.  Even when they constructed a device so they might work together to walk straight, they failed.  The "myth" was confirmed:  without the use of their eyes or ears, they were absolutely lost.

At the end of the program, Adam and Jamie walked through thick woods.  Without survival training, Adam was able to walk a fairly straight line.  Harnessing prior training and making use of the sun, Jamie stayed right on target.  Even with bucket on his head to simulate "white-out" conditions, Jamie remained on course.  The primary observation I made from watching these men trying to walk straight was how futile their attempts were when deprived of sight.  The ability to see made all the difference.  Spiritually the principle is true.  When a man is spiritually dead, he is also blind.  He remains without life and spiritual understanding.  Man could never find the way to heaven on his own, even if he did his very best.  We could not by accident hope to arrive at a heavenly destination.  Only through the Gospel can a man be born again and made to see.  Jesus is the One who came to open the eyes of the blind, set the captives free, and raise the dead through repentance and faith in Him.  God has given His Word as a compass, GPS, map, and survival manual all in one.  Unless we familiarise ourselves with the scripture and consult it often, we might as well be walking in circles in the dark.

Just like the sun is a critical tool for orienteering, so Christ is for us.  Hebrews 12:1-3 says, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."  When we look to Jesus, we are shown the Way.  Considering Him in all we do, even in the midst of trials and struggles, keeps us from weariness and discouragement.  We don't need to grope in the dark for God when He has clearly revealed Himself to us as the Light of the World.  His "will" is not some ambiguous notion only confirmed with signs and wonders:  we should not look to a fleece when we should look to Christ guided by the indwelling Spirit.

With eyes on the Son Jesus Christ, may we say with the psalmist in Psalm 143:8:  "Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You."  When we look into those eyes of love, we find hope, strength, and direction for every step of our lives.  Perfect knowledge of every step isn't as important as knowing the One who has ordered your steps.  Look unto Jesus, trust in Him, and you will know the Way.

Can You Earn It?

"Saving Private Ryan" was an instant classic.  It is a moving film which follows a group of Army Rangers during World War II and their mission to bring Private Ryan safely home.  The plot follows Captain John H. Miller as he leads a team of men through dangerous territory to find Ryan.  It was not an easy task.  It ended up costing many men their lives, including Captain Miller.  As he sat dying on the bridge valiantly held by the Allied forces, his final words to Ryan were, "James...earn this.  Earn it."

Captain Miller and many others gave the ultimate sacrifice to fulfill their orders and bring James Ryan safely home.  Miller pointed to the enormous cost and sacrifice demonstrated by his fellows soldiers as the impetus for Ryan to live a life worthy of it.  At the end of the film, an elderly Ryan stood at the grave of the deceased Captain, wondering if he had done enough.  In my opinion, there is no possible way Ryan could have ever lived a good enough life to justify the cost.  Yet that's not really the point.  Ryan lived his life mindful of the price paid and was moved to do his best.  What more could he possibly do?  The lives lost on the field of battle for country and to save him no doubt spurned Ryan on to finish well.

As Easter draws near, I am reminded of the greatest sacrifice ever.  It was not on the field of battle, nor was it for country or a single man.  Jesus Christ was without sin, and laid down His life on Calvary for the sins of the world.  There is no possible way that we can live our lives worthy of earning such a sacrifice of love and grace, that God would put on human flesh and die for sinful men.  Jesus never suggested for us to earn that sacrifice.  It is too high a price.  It is a gift which can only be received.  But we would do well to live motivated by His sacrifice.  Even as Private Ryan remembered the exhortation spoken to him by a dying Captain, so we ought to remember the sacrifice of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, we have been given the ability to walk worthily of Christ's sacrifice.  We are not worthy of His sacrifice, but we can walk in a way that honours and glorifies God for all He has done.  Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 reads, "You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; ¹¹ as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, ¹² that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory."  The Greek word translated "worthy" here means, "appropriately, as becoming."  What is the appropriate way for us to live, seeing that Christ gave all for us?  Paul's conduct was appropriate:  devout, just, and blameless, like Jesus before him.

The prayer recorded in Colossians 1:9-15 well describes this calling for those who have received Christ:  "For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ¹⁰ that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹ strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; ¹² giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. ¹³ He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."  We can't live a good enough life to earn it, but let's walk worthy of Christ's sacrifice.

Are You Committed?

Looking for a snapshot of genuine faith?  We need look no other place but to Christ.  1 Peter 2:19-24 provides a clear view of this high calling:  "For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. ²¹ For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ²² "Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth"; ²³ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; ²⁴ who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed."

We are not saved by our good works, but saved for them.  Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  It is our reasonable service to be living sacrifices unto God, wholly submitted to His will and purposes.  Doing good is one aspect of the Christian life that ought to be a natural outflow of the Holy Spirit within us, not a source of pride.  Our flesh is sometimes willing and able to go this far.  There are many people in the world who do "good" things who have no knowledge of God.  Faith enters the picture when we do good and suffer for it patiently with a heart focused on Christ.  Jesus went about only doing good, perfectly performing the will of the Father.  Yet He suffered much during His life on earth, culminating with His crucifixion on Calvary.  Even then He did not become bitter, angry, or threaten, "...but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously."  Three days after His death on the cross, He rose from the grave proving His power over it.  It is in the power of the resurrection that Christians live today.

The life of a Christian is one of commitment.  It is far more than an ideal or a mental assent to doctrine:  it is a life of faith in the living God.  It is an undying loyalty and belief that no matter what trials or difficulties we may face for doing good and standing for righteousness, we are God's and He is ours.  It is a denial of self and a belief in God according to knowledge revealed through the scriptures.  It is not just ignoring the hurtful comments, violent assaults, slander, mockery, and scorn directed at us, but in willingly committing ourselves to God's hands, knowing that Jesus suffered for us.  Jesus committed Himself to God the Father, knowing He is a righteous judge.  The Father would never allow Jesus to see corruption in the grave because He had committed no sin.  Jesus never even told a lie.  He was always casting His cares upon the Father, because His Father loved Him.

A day will come when all the wrongs in this world will be made right.  A day will come when all the lies of Satan will be swept away.  A day will come when Jesus Christ sits on His throne, having destroyed the power of the devil.  A day of reckoning will come where all people will be judged according to God's righteousness.  Knowing this, we ought to take Christ's example to heart.  Am I embracing my calling?  It is not a question of "Am I doing good?" but when I do good and suffer do I take it patiently with rejoicing?  May the righteous acts recorded in Acts 5:41-42 mark our lives as well:  "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. ⁴² And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ."

Have you committed yourself to Him who judges righteously?  Rejoice when you do good and suffer, for this is your calling.  Peace and joy is not found in the absence of conflict, but through a right standing with Jesus Christ.  He says to us in John 15:9-12, "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. ¹⁰ If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. ¹² This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."