Loving Jesus first of all
Bill Roberts has composed a spot-on evaluation of the missing piece in many Christians' lives:
First, a question: Do you love Jesus? Have you ever known anyone who loved Jesus with all they had? I hope you have. I have known people like that. One thing becomes clear when you're around someone who loves Jesus with all their heart: things in their life are focused, straightforward, and simple (in the best meaning of that word). There is a joy and a confidence in such people, regardless of circumstances. They are imbued with a thrilling and contagious courage.Amen. Bill goes on to describe what happens when we love others but forget to love God. It's worth reading (HT: The Gospel-Driven Church).
They are wonderful to be around. Because their love for Jesus marks their life as a life of love and service toward others.
As Christians, our primary goal, our primary duty, is to love Jesus. Out of that love for Jesus flows love for all those around us.
posted by Milton Stanley at 7:44 AM
3 Comments:
During Jesus Christ's earthly ministry, among the people with whom He spent most of His time, it would have been a noteworthy occasion to meet a man who was both young, rich, and, to some extent, sincere. In fact, Matthew 19 records such an occasion.
When the young man inquired about what He needed to do to receive eternal salvation, Jesus began to list some of the commandments of the law. The young man professed that he had kept these commandments, and then asked
this question, which we find in verse 20, "The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?"
This Scripture does not support
the application often given this verse by ministers today. Upon
encountering someone who appears to "have it all" in society, modern
evangelicals will say something like this: "Sir, I see that you have a beautiful family, a good marriage, a huge house, an expensive car, and a great job. You only 'lack' one thing: Jesus. If you will just add Jesus to your life, you will then be complete."
This sounds spiritual and practical, but it is not what is taught in Scripture. Christ Jesus is not just an accessory or an accoutrement to be added to one's list of possessions. The decision to follow Christ,and to receive Him as Savior, is a decision which stems from a Holy Ghost-revealed understanding that Christ is all that matters, and that if confessing Him costs everything else, then the price is not too high.
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall
lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:35-36
Exactly right, MA. Well said. Thanks for the comment.
ministry addict,
That's just the trouble....we don't want to die.
- Steve Martin
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