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The Word...Epistle 1.4...Change What are we today? Many Christians today will shout a loud “Amen” to the sufferings of Christ, but will shrink and tremble to the prospect of them going through the same. If we are not willing to change, Jesus and the departed saints of the Early Church will rise up in judgment against us (note Mt. 12:41-42). Many today would boast of their knowledge of the Scriptures, their theologies, their doctorate degrees, their large denominations and their positions in the Christian world. Others are high over their professions, high paying jobs or growing business endeavors. But Paul will withstand them to the face, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ...that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Phil. 3:7-11). Hallelujah! Many today are excited about abundance and prosperity. Yet watch how they spend their time and money and how little they give to God’s work. But Jesus will arouse them, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses...He that lays up treasure for himself...is not rich toward God...The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment...For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gains the whole world, and loses himself, or be cast away” (Lk. 12:15,21,23 & 9:24-25)? Others think that prosperity is a sign of spirituality, “supposing that gain is godliness” (1 Tim. 6:5b), a sign of God’s favor. But Paul will pierce them on the side, “...Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows...Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life” (1 Tim. 6:6-10, 17-19). Glory to God! Others easily whine and complain when necessity, affliction and persecution come. But again, Paul will testify to them, “...I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong...I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound, and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me...none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course with joy...for I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day...Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through Him that love us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (2 Cor. 12:10, Phil. 4:12-13, Acts 20:24, 2 Tim. 1:12b, Rom. 8:37-39). Hallelujah! shagged on 4/25/2009 12:07:00 PM Comments: Post a Comment