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The Daily Word of Righteousness
Survival and Fruitfulness in the Last Days, #11
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (Matthew 10:37-39)
One aspect of dying in the Lord is to put the Lord ahead of every family member. We see also that every believer has a cross to bear. He must lift it to his back and follow the Lord each day. Whoever does not do this is not worthy of the Lord.
We have to be worthy of the Lord.
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. (Revelation 3:4)
What about the believer who is unwilling to put the Lord ahead of all? Can he be saved without doing this?
Insisting on finding our life means clinging to those things we desire whether or not they are the Lord's will for us to have them. Losing our life for Jesus' sake means putting His will first in every matter. "Not my will but Yours be done."
Have you done this? Whatever you cling to you eventually will lose. Whatever you give to the Lord Jesus will finally be given back to you if it is for your eternal good.
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:21-26)
It was God's will for Christ to suffer and it is God's will that each believer suffer. We must share Christ's suffering. Apart from suffering there is no Kingdom of God, no glorious future. When we turn away from suffering we are attempting to save our life. Then we become the prey of Satan just as was true of Peter.
We do not mean by this that we should not pray for God to remove what we do not want, or for God to give us what we do want. We always must tell the Lord what it is we desire, giving thanks in the meantime. Otherwise we will bear much needless pain. We have not because we ask not.
To be continued.