I remember reading the account of Christ going to his crucifixion for the first time as a young child and I was horrified. Even at that young age, I had the realization that He was hanging from that cross because of the sins I did and would do in my lifetime. I realized with horror that it was me that pounded those nails into his hands, as my savior offered His life to the LORD God for redemption of my own.
That gift on Calvary, given because Jesus Christ loved me so dearly, has always been enough for me. If the LORD GOD told me today that I would lose everything I own, everything I love, everything I am in an instant, I would still praise His Holy Grace for giving me the most precious gift of all; salvation through the sacrificed blood of my precious Jesus Christ. It was so undeserved, but oh so blessed to receive the ultimate gift of love and eternal life.
I know it sounds like big talk and brings images of Job and God and the devil sorting the things of righteousness out as the friends debate the proper response to his tragic life. But I must tell you: I have been there, and faced that desperate loss, and I know. I have lost everything I loved, everything I was, and everything I knew in one very wicked instant. And at my lowest time, when I faced homelessness and loss of everybody I loved, and everything I had ever lived for, my precious Jesus and his sacrifice of life for me became my only focus.
And when I was at my lowest, it never crossed my mind to ask Jesus for anything more than allowing me to be called one of His people, and to receive redemption through the grace of the LORD God. I honestly never thought about asking for riches, or power, or help or even the basic things to sustain my life. I was so overwhelmed that when my whole world had ended, and I was repulsive to every person in my old life, that I was given a new life, and I was loved with a love that would never be taken away.
It is my Savior Jesus Christ I live for forever because the sacrifice he made for me was the most precious act of love I could ever receive, and all other rewards pale in comparison. So I have a hard time understanding the newest movements that are winding through the community of Faithful. I remember a few years back when people started saying a prayer focused around a tiny scripture in hopes that they would be rewarded greatly by the LORD God for their faithful and repetitive asking for riches. Now, I talk with brothers and sisters on every day who are striving to achieve the newest goals of self-actualization through a purpose driven life. I listen as they implement their newest goals and direct their life to its fullest potentials.
I wonder, isn’t there anybody left among the Faithful that love Jesus Christ enough that the sacrifice He made for them is exactly enough? Is there anybody alive today that could lose everything, and still sing praises to God for the salvation of their soul?
I spoke with three new converts this week; all three of them came to Jesus Christ because of goods, time and money received by faithful Christians who took time to help them out when they were down. In each instance, the new convert was so astounded that a non-relative would help them with the worldly things of life, that they started going to church to figure it all out. Hey, they wrongly thought, it worked! And now there are three more converts who have committed to following Christ for the wrong reasons entirely. They think if Jesus led others to give them so much help before their acceptance, then how much more riches can they expect to receive now that they belong to Him? When do the riches start rolling in, now that they have bent their knees? How much study is required of that purpose driven life to effect the opulent rewards of true belief?
What a struggle each of these converts will have when they realize the path of Jesus Christ is not filled with riches, but with trials, tribulations, persecutions and loss at every turn. What a terrible conflict of nature and spirit they will one day struggle with, when they are faced with accepting Christ’s sacrifice over the tempting riches placed before them by a devil just waiting for their greed to overshadow the Gift. What shame they will feel when they remember the time when the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for their sins was not enough.
1 Timothy 6:6-12
“6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 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. 10 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. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (1Ti 6:6-12 AV)
1 Peter 2:19-25
“19 For this [is] thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently, this [is] acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” (1Pe 2:19-25 AV)
