SERVING GOD IS KILLING ME!
"For it is written (Deuteronomy 6:13), 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'" (Matthew 4:10 AMP)
"For it is written (Deuteronomy 6:13), 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'" (Matthew 4:10 AMP)
Don't let the title mislead you. Where I live, there are no martyrs who are shedding their blood for the faith as in other parts of the world. No, the greatest "killer" of our faith is the love of "the things that are in the world, the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification], and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things--these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]" (1 John 2: 15-16). "Modern" religion panders to its members pleasure rather than the purposes of God. It has made an ilol of man's self-will and caters to its doctrines rather than submit to God's will and obey His commands. Its fervor is more focused on social reform than the transformation of the human soul. It demands allegiance to denominational heresies rather than the righteousness and truth of God. "Modern" religion has slowly succumbed to being "of the world" rather than "in it but not of it."
Jesus words, He uttered to His first disciples, are still as valid today as they were then , "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it" (Matthew 16:24,25). And, there is a remnant of those who desire to do just that! These faithful will not be found "clamoring in the streets." Their love for God and their fellow man is carried out through "dying daily" to their pleasures and yielding to the Holy Spirit's transforming work on their hearts and minds. Their names are seldom mentioned in the media, but their neighbors know who they are and Who they represent. Their life's energies are spent in "loving mercy, doing justly and walking humbly with their God" (Micah 6:8). They deny any desire to attach themselves to temporal, worldly things and so must endure the criticism and slanders of the world. They leave behind the things of the past and press for the "high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:12, 14), and so, must suffer misunderstanding. Their witness for Jesus Christ is not just in words but in deeds, so they let their light shine before men, but they do not seek the spotlight. Their denial of self exposes the sins of the worldly and so reaps abuse;but they courageously continue to extend their love, even to those who hate them.
In the Scriptures, we are reminded that every person dies once and faces the judgment of God. But Jesus has promised those who trust in, rely on and believe in Him that, although they may die, yet they shall live" (John 11:25). Think about it.
© S.M. Hudson, Hidden Treasure Ministries, December 2003. All rights reserved.
Categories: forgiveness
