This morning I didn't feel that great. I ate too much at the Relief Sale, stayed up too late, and didn't sleep well. It's in these moments the challenge of faithfulness is most critical. But how I feel is really the small thing. The critical time for faithfulness is when we are attacked for what we believe. Sometimes, when we make a home with people, believing we are on the same journey.
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:29-31 NIV)
We should not be afraid to leave spiritual homes for the sake of the gospel when it becomes clear that our journey must go in a new direction. Jesus gives a very clear promise that we will receive a hundredfold blessing in a new home, even now, in this life.
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:34-38 NIV)
Jesus called us to holiness and to stand for holiness. The world around us celebrates adultery and sin, sometimes even people we thought were faithful followers of Christ. In those circumstances, speak humbly for holiness. Draw on God's power and grace to keep your soul intact in God's kingdom, even when the flesh is weak. God will bless you with a new home if you need one.
-John M Troyer
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:29-31 NIV)
We should not be afraid to leave spiritual homes for the sake of the gospel when it becomes clear that our journey must go in a new direction. Jesus gives a very clear promise that we will receive a hundredfold blessing in a new home, even now, in this life.
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:34-38 NIV)
Jesus called us to holiness and to stand for holiness. The world around us celebrates adultery and sin, sometimes even people we thought were faithful followers of Christ. In those circumstances, speak humbly for holiness. Draw on God's power and grace to keep your soul intact in God's kingdom, even when the flesh is weak. God will bless you with a new home if you need one.
-John M Troyer
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