"Then the king [David] said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing." 2 Samuel 24:24
The Lord told David to erect an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. Araunah wanted to give it to David. King David understood that to live for and glorify God meant that we must decrease so God can increase. That we must count the cost. In Romans 12 Paul said that we must offer ourselves as living sacrifices because it is only reasonable in light of what God, through Jesus, has done for us. That we should not be conformed to this world - which is to say that life of the natural man or woman is about accumulation and self gratification. - But once we are born again, we should be transformed - where our minds, our ways, and our passions are refocused from that which the world craves toward God - and in so doing prove or demonstrate that which is the good and perfect will of God.
Think about the apostles. Jesus challenged them to leave their natural lives behind and follow Him. Even Paul, when he was still known as Saul, who knew he was doing that which was affirmed by the religious elite and assumed therefore his life must be pleasing to Jehovah God discovered that he was, in fact, persecuting the Messiah - the very one all of Israel - in all generations - eagerly awaited. When he understood that - he abandoned what he had invested his life in - to follow Jesus. Saul was given a new name - Paul - just like Abram to Abraham - Simon to Peter - Jacob to Israel.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17
Being a Christian means more than merely having a different attitude. It means having a new life - a new perspective on what is right and good. Your life that was natural and hell bound is now spiritual and heaven bound.
"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." - Matthew 16:24
So the question for each of us is "Am I - are you - willing to pay the price that God demands?" What is that you ask? Total devotion to Him. A life abandoned to doing the will of God. That does not necessarily mean that you must quit your job or sell you house - but it could. Although come to think of it, that is what God called us to do. But, it does mean that you must be willing to say "yes" to God when He speaks. I am thinking about some verses in a few songs that are not sung much anymore.
Jesus paid it all - All to Him I owe.
I have decided to follow Jesus - no turning back. The world behind me, the cross before me.
Almost persuaded - almost but lost.
All to Jesus I surrender. All to Him I freely give. I will ever love and trust Him. In His presence daily live. I surrender all. All To Jesus I surrender.
Amazing grace how sweet the sound. I once was lost but now and found. Was blind but now I see.
Do you see? Do you understand the new life you have been given? Do you embrace that?
"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." = 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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