The Cost of Following Jesus
Three things to reflect on today: 1. Anyone who is not against you is for you. We should probably apply this reasoning to the Christian Church and act accordingly. Too many pastors and professors are pitting one group against another, fostering new denominations and splinter groups all across the United States…and maybe the world, I don’t know. I understand that my opinion on predestination differs from others, but that isn’t a reason we can’t worship together. I believe that the communion elements are simply symbolic, others believe they are the actual body and blood of Christ. They aren’t against me, they just have a different viewpoint. Therefore, they are for me. Some believe that every believer speaks in tongues, others believe that no one does. Neither group is “against” the others…we should be working together, worshiping together. Since Jesus stated it this way, our desire to exclude others, or oppose them in our speech or practice is sinful. Maybe we can’t all worship together, but we certainly don’t have to speak against them, or belittle their efforts.
2. Jesus rebukes the disciples who want to call down fire from heaven on an annoying village. I suppose there are two reasons for this. First, it reveals a hardened heart that doesn’t love others. Even though the people of that village despised Jesus, He was on his way to die on their behalf. He loved them, and he loves us. Romans 5:8 says “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The desire to harm others isn’t Christian, period. Secondly, Jesus knew that the words of the disciples had power…and if they were to call down fire on a village, it could happen. That would doom everyone in that village to eternal death. We don’t truly understand or appreciate the power that has been bestowed upon us as children of God. God speaks and things happen…and we are His children, created in His image, and able to do the same thing, because He has willed and promised it to be so. For that reason, we should be very careful about what we say. Guns aren’t dangerous if you respect them and use them correctly. Words are the same for Christians.
3. Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God. Jesus rebuked several people (who probably represented many) when they didn’t respond immediately to follow Him. Today what grabs me is the mission God was clearly giving them. It wasn’t a social mission, it wasn’t a political or national mission…it was a spiritual mission. “Go and preach about the Kingdom of God”. That means go and share the Good News. Those who are doing that will be accompanied by signs and wonders….but signs and wonders don’t follow those who aren’t obeying and following and sharing the good news. We have a job to do, and we should be out doing it, not making excuses and laying around. Or, not doing it because we have made ourselves too busy doing ridiculous things that take up all our time. Someone told me recently that we waste up to 21 hours a week in mindless activity like television, computer and video games and surfing social media. Don’t say you don’t have enough time, you do. We just need to learn how to use it wisely.
Be blessed and you earnestly seek to grow!
PR