Feb 3 2017 - How Important Is Your Faith?

My Utmost For His Highest

We have been made as the filth of the world… —1 Corinthians 4:13

{CHAMBERS} “These words are not an exaggeration. The only reason they may not be true of us who call ourselves ministers of the gospel is […] that we are too cautious and concerned about our own desires to allow ourselves to become the refuse or “filth of the world.” […] “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you…” (1 Peter 4:12). If we do think the things we encounter are strange, it is because we are fearful and cowardly. […] You can refuse to let God count you as one who is “separated to the gospel….” Or you can say, “I don’t care if I am treated like ‘the filth of the world’ as long as the gospel is proclaimed.” A true servant of Jesus Christ is one who is willing to experience martyrdom for the reality of the gospel of God. When a moral person is confronted with contempt, immorality, disloyalty, or dishonesty, he is so repulsed by the offense that he turns away and in despair closes his heart to the offender. But the miracle of the redemptive reality of God is that the worst and the vilest offender can never exhaust the depths of His love. Paul did not say that God separated him to show what a wonderful man He could make of him, but “to reveal His Son in me…” (Galatians 1:16).”

{ELGIN}  Have you been rejected by someone you care about because of you faith?  Have you rejected your faith for someone you care about?  In the first, you confirm the truth of the Word and reveal Jesus in you. Embracing the Lord, no matter what the natural cost.  In the second you confirm the nature of the flesh which is to be embraced and accepted by others, no matter what the spiritual cost. A willingness to be rejected means that you will endure the emotional pain associated with that rejection.  Some are willing and others choose to compromise their faith. This is not a judgment but a fact.  Something I have observed over the years.  As I was typing those words, the question came to my mind “So what?”.  Does it really matter?  In the carnal mind that answer is “no”, but in the spiritually minded man, the answer is a resounding “YES!”  Jesus talked about “having eyes and not seeing.” (Matthew 13:15-17)  Paul said “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be opened.”  (Ephesians 1:18) And I do too.