As I read the USA front page article on the deficit reduction, this quote nearly jumped off the page. You can understand why. No true believer could fail to see the spiritual analogy! People want to balance the budget, but they don’t want to give up anything to do so. Unfortunately, there are born-again believers who want "the spiritual blessings in the heavenlies" (Eph. 1:3, 20), but are unwilling to give up (die to) treasures on earth.
On one occasion a wealthy young man came to Jesus asking how to get to Heaven, and Jesus told him “go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven” (Mat. 19:21). And though the young man wanted to go to Heaven, he was unwilling to give up anything (die) to do so. Seeing a teachable moment, Jesus told the Disciples “everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will have eternal life” (Mat. 19:29).
Jesus' first followers found themselves facing economic hardships because they decided to follow Him. But we are told they “accepted joyfully the seizure of their property” (Heb. 10:34). I don’t know if you and I will ever have to endure such persecution in our life time. But before that happens, it should be a settled issue: to gain Heaven, we are willing to give up (die to) our treasures on earth.
I think we want the best of both worlds (even though there is nothing truly good about one of them). You only truly kmow how deceitful this worldly system is when you die. By faith you reckon yourself dead and daily you ask the Holy Spirit to be obedient, follow His will, and that He will equip you through His grace to die daily, as a fact. That He will have His way with you.
ReplyDeleteI think most people don't understand what dying is in effect, I mean practically. For example, I don't think most Christians know that they have no right to think "their" thoughts, I mean feeling free to think whatever they want to, without having a holy fear in their spirit, hearts, minds, and checking whether those thoughts align with the Word of God, if it is something edifying to their own lives. I think practical teaching on dying is much needed in the Church. People may understand in theory but I think a godly and holy standard is missing in personal lives.
The life resulting from dying is the most freeing and fulfilling way of life we could ever live. It is only that life that can be fully pleasing to God, and successful in the accomplisment of His purposes. In essence it is the life of the Son of God within, one of unspeakable joy and full of glory. Amen
This is why I wrote "Are You Dying to Live the Abundant Life?" Do you have a copy?
ReplyDeleteNo, is it a posting or a specific study? Is anywhere on the WOL website?
ReplyDeleteThank you.
It's a book. You can order it through Amazon.com or through winepress.com
ReplyDeleteOr, just google my name; It'll show up.