How often do we allow the opinions of people to determine our feelings and actions? Even though we may not specifically do it, many of us do have an inclination to match up with the Jones’, don’t we? We are very careful to avoid embarrassment, make sure that what we do looks good, our words are carefully chosen, we drive an acceptable car and live in an acceptable neighbourhood.
How about following the Lord unconditionally? What if He wants us to give up everything for His sake? Do you think the disciples had dreams before they left everything for Jesus’ sake? I’m sure that, before Peter, John and James were called, they could maybe have looked forward to their fishing empires one day and their resulting status in the community, but their careers ended completely differently. We know the disciples eventually walked in the Holy Spirit’s anointing and power, but how was life for them? Their message had its enemies and they were persecuted terribly for it. They had to flee for their lives on various occasions and some died as martyrs. I wonder whether they ever thought back of what they could have had in terms of materialism.
Paul used to be a comfortable Pharisee with status and influence. Before he was called, he probably saw ahead of Him a life as a respected religious leader, but then He met Jesus. A number of years later 2 Corinthians 11:24-27 tells the story of his life: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2011:24-27&version=NIV1984.
John the Baptist lived in the wild, dressed in a camel hair robe and living on wild honey and locusts, Elijah lived on the road wherever the Lord arranged for him to live and was constantly hunted by Ahab and Jezebel. In Hebrews 11:35-39 we read of the price people had paid for faith and obedience: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2011:35-39&version=NIV1984. Shall we also look at more recent hardships, such as the Chinese and Sudanese churches under constant persecution as well as missionaries in primitive conditions?
Did these people save face? Did they deny Jesus when they were expected to do so? When the Lord gave an instruction did they think of what their friends would say, how this would affect their businesses and their ambitions of having a successful lifestyle of influence, affluence and power? Did they long for comfortable evenings in a cosy home?
No they “were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection,” (Hebrews 11:35b), the persecuted Christians in today’s prisons use the opportunity to win souls in prison, and everybody mentioned above just continued to do what the Lord asked of them.
Why did/do these people go through all this? They had the opportunity to live comfortably, didn’t they? It’s because they saw and experienced the Lord’s power and presence - His fullness. To them this, and the expectation of eternal rewards, was sufficient. Jesus told the rich young man in Matthew 19:21: “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Two things were mentioned: Get rid of worthless things that keep you occupied and then become occupied with Jesus.
How about us in this modern, materialistic age? Why are we embarrassed when we have to appear unacceptable to the world, when we have to challenge sinners with the gospel, when we have to deal with one another’s sin? When I shared with a Christian that I pray in tongues all day long (obviously not out loud), he asked me whether those at work won’t think I’m crazy if I appear to talk to myself all day long. My answer was I don’t care, for it’s the Lord’s opinion that counts, not man’s.
Do we want the power the men of the Bible had? Maybe we should consider sacrificing what they did?
To be continued.
Lord, give me the grace to consider your expectations more important than my wants and the wisdom to know the difference.
Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.
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