The Cost Of Obedience

Becoming a follower of Christ will require a steadfast determination. 

We are to follow that which, God says in His Word, will not make sense to us.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8

If it doesn't make sense to us ... it sure isn't going to make sense to those around us. Your acts of obedience may bring your actions under the scrutiny of others which, in turn, will cost you something. Possibly, just being considered a nut. But possibly ... 

• a friend

• a family member

• a job

• your freedom or even your life

So, what does it look like to follow Jesus? Jesus was (and is) interested in healing and restoration.

"It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners. Mark 2:17

Ministering to sinners was not popular when Jesus walked the earth and it is not popular today. 

It goes against everything in us ... "Friend to Sinners" .... what else you got?

It won't make you popular, especially with the 'religious' folk. But it is Biblical. 

Here are the words of a converted 'religious' folk who became a follower of Jesus. 

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"--and I am the worst of them all. 1Timothy 1:15

Paul first recognized his great need for saving grace from his sin. Then, he became an instrument of that saving grace as He followed Christ. We can expect the same in our lives. It should never be enough for us to simply enjoy what we have. To follow Christ is to share the message of the Good News with those who need it. Whether we believe they deserve it or not. Whether people around us believe they deserve it or not. Lest we forget that we too are sinners and were once dead in our sin.

as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; Romans 3:10

There will be times when God prompts you to show kindness and speak words of healing and restoration to ones who have been regarded as unworthy of receiving grace by others. In those times, you must simply trust that as you abide in Him, and as His Word abides in you, you can trust and obey His promptings and leave the consequences to Him. 

What Could Have Been - Part 2

The service was simple .... but powerful.

The pastor began by reading my uncle Danny's obituary.

... just a few words which had been chosen by his family to represent (in print) his contribution and his impact during his 62 years of life.

And then the pastor began to share (from the fullness of his own heart) the transformation he had witnessed in my uncle Danny during his final days on earth.

There was a change. A dramatic change. A change in my uncle's heart and mind.

What was the change? His surrender to Christ.

My uncle Danny first met Jesus when he was a child but he didn't bow his knee to Him until just a few short days before he died.

There wasn't a dry eye in the chapel as we listened to the pastor describe the change that had occurred in my uncle Danny's life.

The JOY.

The CONTENTMENT.

The PEACE.

The LOVE.

The change that occurs when we surrender ourselves to the LOVE of Christ.

I just can not tell you how happy I am that my uncle Danny experienced the fullness of Christ's Love in his final days on earth. But I know my uncle Danny would want you to know ....

Our time on earth is short. The Bible describes it as a vapor. It goes quickly!

We have no promise of tomorrow.

We are told ... TODAY is the day of salvation.

Today, if you hear His voice DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEART.

And we are promised .... ALL that call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.

Have you called upon the name of the Lord.

Have you been changed by His Love and His Grace?