Are You Too Good, Too Busy, Too Intelligent, Too Rich, Too Poor, Too Self-Assured, Too.... To Follow Jesus? As a Pastor and a born again believer for over forty years I am more and more often disappointed by what appears to me to be a lack of commitment by modern day Christians. Am I wrong to feel that we no longer have a zeal for following Christ? Have we counted the cost and decided it was unjust, overrated, inconvenient, insignificant, boring, unprofitable or just not fun? I am deeply saddened to see believers today behaving as unbelievers! honestly, its getting harder and harder to tell us apart! The Good but Lost People of 50 years ago would be aghast and offended to see the way some of us carry on and yet call ourselves Christians. God is not mocked my friends, you will reap what you have sowed. Are you “following Christ” or merely halfheartedly walking in the general direction with a vague idea of what is expected of you or according your own fashion? “Follow Me” is the call of Christ to those who would be His disciples and partake of all the faith in Him requires of believers. If our intent is to follow Christ, we must lay aside the thought of pursuing great things in the world. Three men encountered Jesus in Luke 9:57-62 and grappled with this all important decision. One was forward and declared “Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.” to which Jesus replied “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” Jesus let him know in no uncertain terms that following Him would not be a life of ease but one in which material possessions were not deemed as important as proclaiming the Gospel. To the other Jesus said “Follow Me” most likely because He had a purpose and destiny for him to fulfill. Sadly, the man’s response was “Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.” The man’s father was not dead but Jewish custom required that at least one son was required to care for the parents until they died. He was asking for a more convenient time to follow Jesus. Religion teaches us to be kind and good, to show piety at home, and to requite our parents; but we must not make these an excuse for neglecting our duty to God. Jesus’ response “Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” Too harsh for you perhaps? God never takes anything from us that He will not replace with something better and perfect! “Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospels, 30 But he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” Mark 10:29-30 (KJV) The third man made this offer “Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.” To which Jesus replied “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Serving and following Jesus requires focusing on His Will and is made easier by not looking back to the old ways. Jesus made it clear that we would be rewarded for putting Him first, ahead and above all things. No one can do any business in a proper manner, if he is attending to other things. Those who begin with the work of God must resolve to go on, or they will make nothing of it. Looking back, leads to drawing back, and drawing back is to perdition. He only that endures to the end shall be saved. —Matthew Henry Concise The Great Commandment is clear “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matt 22:37 (KJV) If we obey this commandment, it will put all things in their proper perspective eliminating any confusion that may arise. Jesus also stated it this way “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Luke 16:13 (KJV) S. R. Jim Garcia, Pastor P.I.B.-C.C.
Posted on: Wed, 14 May 2014 18:31:29 +0000
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