"For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14 NIV
This passage follows the one that says that those who ask will receive, those who seek will find, and those who knock will have the door opened to them. And yet, it will be a minority that find the way to Jesus, to life. It is not God who is being parsimonious with his offer of salvation, it is that people are not wanting to know God. The general human condition is one of rebellion against God and most people want to lead their lives in a way that satisfies their pride and greed. In a democracy, we elect our leaders based on the majority consent of the population. We have it in our minds that what most people want must be the right thing. However, this viewpoint does not apply to the things of God. His truth is not contingent on how many people ascribe to it.
I pray that God will give me the discernment to see, hear and obey the truth of his word. I pray that I will not be swayed by the latest popular thinking if it runs counter to his teaching. I pray that God will give me the strength to stand in the swirling stream of anti-God sentiment and not be swept away with it. He is enough.
Friday, June 26, 2020
Saturday, June 13, 2020
Sad Retreat
"Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One thing you lack,' he said. 'Go, sell everything you have...' At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth." Mark 10:21-22 NIV
It's easy to dismiss this passage because not many of our friends and family have great wealth, and if we aren't personally rich in money we think it doesn't apply to us. But other aspects of life can be seen as riches. Are we rich in relationships, rich in status, rich in opportunities? Often strong personal relationships among unbelievers are a barrier to someone following Christ. The cost of potentially losing some relationships seems too high. If a person has a high public profile and is admired by the world, a decision for Christ could quickly make their popularity plunge and perhaps subject them to ridicule. Walking away from the spotlight could be very difficult. Some jobs offer interesting opportunities including exciting projects and travel. A profession of faith in Christ might close those doors. A new life in Christ might lead to more constrained work situations.
Scripture tells us that Jesus loved the rich young man but his love didn't compel the man to follow him. Jesus didn't run after the man and try to convince him to change his mind. He knew it was futile because the man valued his goods more than God. I have to accept that some of those I love will never want to trade their worldly riches for the infinite blessing of eternal life with Christ.
It's easy to dismiss this passage because not many of our friends and family have great wealth, and if we aren't personally rich in money we think it doesn't apply to us. But other aspects of life can be seen as riches. Are we rich in relationships, rich in status, rich in opportunities? Often strong personal relationships among unbelievers are a barrier to someone following Christ. The cost of potentially losing some relationships seems too high. If a person has a high public profile and is admired by the world, a decision for Christ could quickly make their popularity plunge and perhaps subject them to ridicule. Walking away from the spotlight could be very difficult. Some jobs offer interesting opportunities including exciting projects and travel. A profession of faith in Christ might close those doors. A new life in Christ might lead to more constrained work situations.
Scripture tells us that Jesus loved the rich young man but his love didn't compel the man to follow him. Jesus didn't run after the man and try to convince him to change his mind. He knew it was futile because the man valued his goods more than God. I have to accept that some of those I love will never want to trade their worldly riches for the infinite blessing of eternal life with Christ.
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Born of God
"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well." 1 John 5:1 NIV
The imagery of birth is important as regards to believers. In natural birth, a baby is fully born when he has been delivered and the umbilical cord has been cut. No longer does the baby derive its sustenance from the mother, but now he must drink milk and breathe air. The baby cannot reenter the womb and reattach to the placenta. Birth is a definite irrevocable event, Similarly, conversion to Christ is not something that people can waver on from day to day, nor can it be a half measure just as one is never half born. This passage in 1 John is so clear : to be born of God one must believe that Jesus is the Christ. It is not enough to believe that there is a god, or to believe that Jesus lived and was a good teacher. One must believe that Jesus is the Christ.
I know that I have been born of God because his Holy Spirit continually testifies to me that Jesus is the Christ, my Saviour. The desire to become more like Jesus is given by God and assures us of our position as children of God. I thank God for his love, his forgiveness, his peace and joy. How blessed is the life of a believer.
The imagery of birth is important as regards to believers. In natural birth, a baby is fully born when he has been delivered and the umbilical cord has been cut. No longer does the baby derive its sustenance from the mother, but now he must drink milk and breathe air. The baby cannot reenter the womb and reattach to the placenta. Birth is a definite irrevocable event, Similarly, conversion to Christ is not something that people can waver on from day to day, nor can it be a half measure just as one is never half born. This passage in 1 John is so clear : to be born of God one must believe that Jesus is the Christ. It is not enough to believe that there is a god, or to believe that Jesus lived and was a good teacher. One must believe that Jesus is the Christ.
I know that I have been born of God because his Holy Spirit continually testifies to me that Jesus is the Christ, my Saviour. The desire to become more like Jesus is given by God and assures us of our position as children of God. I thank God for his love, his forgiveness, his peace and joy. How blessed is the life of a believer.
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