JESUS SPEAKING
So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life” (Luke 18: 29-30.)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
All valuable things have a price; and eternal life is no exception. Although salvation is free, reconciliation requires sacrifice. The cost for following Jesus Christ is high; most endure persecution, affliction, and hardship (many are ridiculed and socially ostracized.) Obedience frequently produces loss; the loss of wealth and possessions; the loss of a home, a career, a family, or a friend; (there are even those who have laid down their lives for the sake of the gospel.) From the time of the resurrection until today, not one righteous sacrifice has ever been committed in vain; for God has promised to replace every offering with something far greater. To die as a peaceful martyr is to live forever in the His Kingdom. To lay down earthly possessions is to grab hold of God’s eternal riches. To suffer affliction for righteousness (here and now), is to one day experience unending freedom, and everlasting peace [Note: God doesn’t just provide heavenly blessings; he also provides the faithful with many earthly blessings (wives, husbands, children, friends, etc.)]
Some time ago while serving at my church, I met a pastor named Greg. A few years earlier he had been the starting quarterback for a division one college football team. As he headed in to his senior year, his future looked promising. Many expected him to excel, and to eventually enter the NFL draft. According to the world, his life was an example of success. Yet God had other plans for Greg. Before the start of his senior year, he felt the Lord calling him in to full time ministry. After much contemplation and prayer, Greg chose to sacrifice his probable fame and fortune to serve God. When he announced his decision not to return for his final season, his coaches were mystified and his friends believed he had gone crazy. In the eyes of the faithless he was making a very serious mistake. Nearly four years after making his decision, Greg has never been more satisfied. He is joyfully serving the Lord and has a beautiful wife, and has one young child. He has sacrificed much, yet in return, he has received many priceless blessings (“and in the age to come, eternal life.”) [Note: Many necessary sacrifices often deal with sin. Some years ago, when God began to remove the sins from my life, I was separated from many of my friends. Because I no longer partied, the invitations to social functions became scarce. I was no longer the irresponsible potty mouth that many had come to know and love. One friend even remarked, “I like the old Jess better.” I lost many friends when I gave up certain sins; but I gained far more. God replaced the old with the new, and today my life is filled with healthy, loving, and caring individuals.]
The Christian life requires sacrifice. Letting go of what is evil and grabbing on to what is good, is not without consequence. Obedience to the Lord produces loss; yet, for every earthly surrender there is a heavenly reward. Trust in the Lord; sacrifice any sinful areas of your life upon God’s Holy altar; submit yourself to His leading, and you will experience all of the blessings he has promised to those who love and serve Him.
“Lord Heavenly Father, help us to sacrifice our lives to serve You. May we accomplish Your will no matter the cost. Remove any sins that stand in our way. Give us a new heart; give us new desires; may we die so that You may live. We thank You in advance for the blessings You have promised us. We submit our lives to You now in faith. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you.
Jesus Speaks 