‘The real test of a saint is not one’s willingness
to preach the gospel, but one’s willingness to do something like washing the
disciples’ feet— that is, being willing
to do those things that seem unimportant in human estimation but count as
everything to God. It was Paul’s delight to spend his life for God’s
interests in other people, and he did
not care what it cost. But before we will serve, we stop to ponder our
personal and financial concerns— “What if God wants me to go over there? And
what about my salary? What is the climate like there? Who will take care of me?
A person must consider all these things.” All that is an indication that we have reservations about serving God.
But the apostle Paul had no conditions or reservations. Paul focused his life on
Jesus Christ’s idea of a New Testament saint; that is, not one who merely
proclaims the gospel, but one who becomes broken bread and poured-out wine in
the hands of Jesus Christ for the sake of others.’ CHAMBERS
When God speaks, you know it’s God and you know
what He said .. the question is will you obey.
You may think that you are being responsible .. practical .. in that
before you step out you consider whether you can afford it, or what impact it
might have on those around you … as if God were not aware of your
situation. If you indeed love God with
your everything … then it is His purpose that you want to fulfill .. His voice
that you want to heed … That requires faith … considering other “things” before
you obey is a sign that you lack faith … that, really, you don’t love God with
your “everything”, but with some things.
That is a bitter pill to swallow … admitting that you have a divided
heart … but God will take you to that place .. the realization and then the
opportunity to act in obedience to His revelation. It is a crisis that you face … you know that
if you obey those other things that you love … even prefer over God .. must be
cast aside ..
Hebrews
12:1-3 “Therefore,
[…] let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily
entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing
our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before
him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of
the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so
that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
There was a bracelet that many Christians wore some
years back .. WWJD .. “what would Jesus do”
What He did was obey the Father .. even to the cross. Mark
8:34 “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny
themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
You may want but you must be willing … and that
requires faith.
Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)
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