(Matthew 16:25) “But whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
To what degree am I willing to be rejected by men for the Kingdom of God’s sake? Let me explore the concept of Christianity and all the diverse opinions to it. What are the benefits to Christianity? This is a very interesting question; it all depends on what you want from it! Forgive me for my candid style but my point will soon be evident. A large percentage of individuals that visit churches who dress under the label of “A Form of Religion” have agendas, in fact to be true we all have an agenda, both the sheep as well as the goats. How so? From the day the Lord began his ministry, in fact even prior to that, His mother knowing who He was came to Him and asked Him for a miracle, they needed more wine at a wedding in Cana of Galilee and this is the account: “And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come.” (John 2:3-4)
Mary (the mother of Jesus) probably felt for this family, they may have been poor and unable to purchase enough wine for the marriage feast as they had now already moved into the third day of celebrations. So in order that this family did not suffer disgrace she beckoned to the Lord Jesus to intervene. His response gives us a clue into His heart in the matter; why are you troubling me with this; I have far greater needs to attend too! He came to do His Fathers will and that was His sole purpose, there was a tremendous responsibility placed upon Him, in fact we should spend more time considering those responsibilities and we may just get a clearer glimpse of His greatness! This would help in walking uprightly before Him, placing His needs and our Fathers will before our inconsequential wants. How often do we ask God to intervene in our lives with selfish intent because we are aware of His power, just like Mary did in this account? Mary was not concerned for her own well being but she had placed the well being of her friends above the well being of her Son’s mission; to do the will of His Father! We are far worse at times. We demand and expect the Lord to act for us on request and at will, forgive us Lord! Forgive me Father! Yet even with this request we see our great Saviours heart for all those whom He loves. Nevertheless, Mary acted in faith and instructed the servants to do whatever He told them to do, she anticipated a miracle! And so it was, it happened! He had compassion on His mother and turned the water into wine. Note: Although He performs the miracle; we see a rebuke in His tone, He does not call her mother but woman; as many as Christ loves, He rebukes and chastens. Examine your life and think about how often you pray for something, normally when you are in need and it will be for your own benefit. We often only call out to Him in times of trouble. The Lord Jesus on the other hand never considered His own well-being but always put others before self. “And Jesus saith unto him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.”” (Matthew 8:20)
When we begin to be assuming, we should be reminded what we are, men and women, frail, foolish, corrupt and we must put off this type of reasoning. Our lives must begin to take on the appearance of a selfless attitude, just like our great Saviour. This will be an ongoing process for as long as we live here on earth. But we must resolve to achieve this very goal. It will be worth it all as we will rule and reign with Him throughout eternity, just like He now sits on a throne in heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father, so we too will be beneficiaries with him in heaven. All those who are found faithful to His will and those who endure unto the end! This is what we will be judged for and will then be rewarded accordingly. “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25)
Throughout the Lords ministry here on earth we see many examples of people following the Lord for self gain. Many flocked to hear him speak and although He carried with Him the words of life it is clear to see that many overlooked His wisdom but never overlooked His miracles. Let us prove this from scripture!
Many had gathered to listen to Him speak in a town called Bethsaida and He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. As the day wore on the crowd grew hungry and needed food He performed another miracle before their eyes as He fed the entire crowd with two fishes and five loaves; “And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces. Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" And they answered, "John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen." Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered, "The Christ of God."” (Luke 9:17-20)
Note: Everyone who was there witnessed the miracles and they assumed that the Lord Jesus was a prophet but only Peter recognised Him as the Christ (the anointed One). The crowd saw Him as someone who could help them with their physical needs; healing, food etc. If that is how we view the Lord Jesus then we have missed the mark. He neither came to heal or bodies and gives us daily bread, although He will take care of those needs, we must firstly view Him as Christ in our lives and we must look to appropriate His righteousness to our lives before that will happen. If not then we will be no different to blind leading the blind and we too will fall into a ditch. He came to save us from hell!
There are sadly some who fly a banner of Christianity who are deceivers and mislead many into error, but only babes (new believers) and those who have hidden agendas will fall by way of their folly. The Apostle Paul recognised them and has this to say; “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Romans 16:18)
“(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” (Philippians 3:18-19)
We must all examine our own hearts and ask ourselves, do we serve Christ because of his righteousness of do we have hidden agenda’s?
Signing off
Tyrone
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