Are We Praiseworthy?

.

Are We Praiseworthy?

As we grow in faith,  hope,  and love,  it is vital  that we realize  what our goal  in this life is  and the value  of living  in the truth.     If we don’t constantly  keep our eyes  on the goal,  we are sure  to get off course  and possibly lost.     When a runner runs a race,  he must keep his eyes  and mind  on the goal,  in order  to win.

All  of  Matthew, chapter 10  is about Jesus  sending out His disciples  and telling them  about the hatred  and challenges  they will surely have to face  as they keep their minds  on their goal.     It wasn’t a peaceful,  loving picture  that Jesus presented.

Jesus told the disciples  ahead of time  that they could expect imprisonment,  scourgings,  trials,  death,  mockery,  and persecutions  of all sorts  —  all because  of their faith  and preaching.     In the midst  of all that,  Jesus promised  that God would never leave them  —  even in their martyrdom.

In the midst  of all sorts  of hatred,  they were instructed  to confess the Lord as God  and Savior  before all men  —  no matter what.     They were not to be afraid  of their sufferings  because they were preaching  the truth  of God.     Sticking to the eternal truths  of the LORD God Almighty  is much more worthwhile  than caving in  to the lies  and myths  of the world.

When we stick  to the truth,  we reach our goal  of eternal life  with flying colors.     If we chicken out  because we’re afraid  of being rejected  by the world,  it becomes possible  that we might lose  our salvation  or put it  in grave jeopardy.     So,  in all seriousness,  Jesus explains  our situation  in verses 33-39,

But whoever shall deny Me  before men,  I will also deny him  before My Father  who is  in heaven.

Do not think  that I came  to bring peace  on the earth;  I did not come  to bring peace,  but a sword.

For I came  to set a man  against his father,  and a daughter  against her mother,  and a daughter-in-law  against her mother-in-law;  and a man’s enemies  will be the members  of his household.      He who loves  father or mother  more than Me  is not worthy of Me;  and he who loves  son or daughter  more than Me  is not worthy of Me.

And he who does not  take his cross  and follow after Me  is not worthy  of Me.      He who has found his life  shall lose it,  and he who has lost his life  for My sake  shall find it.”

Jesus,  the Prince of Peace,  gives us the peace  of sins forgiven  and the peace  of realizing God’s tremendous love  for us.     God’s love  was not cheap.      Jesus suffered unjustly  and died  an extremely cruel death  to pay  for our sins.

Now Jesus expects us  to stand up  for the truth  of God’s love  —  just as He did.

If we think  we have a great life  —  just the way it is  —  here on this earth  and don’t need  to be concerned  about life  in eternity,  Jesus says  we will lose  our eternal life.

But,  if we stand up  for the truth  and honestly live  according to God’s truth  in this ungodly world  —  all because we appreciate  God’s love  in Jesus  —  we shall find  eternal life.

The choice  is up to us.     The choice is simply saying  and standing up  for what we love  the most.

It’s a choice between the LORD,  who has proven His eternal love  for us  and the world  that is filled  with selfishness,  pride,  hatred,  cheating,  unfaithfulness,  lies,  and all sorts  of evils.

What do we  love the most?     What will make us  a real winner  in the end?

When we choose God’s love  and forgiveness  in Christ,  we will be set free  in a way  the world cannot fathom.     Then we will have  God’s peace  in the midst  of a world full  of hatred  and ungodliness.     Then we will be strengthened  to take up our cross  and honestly  follow  our Lord.

But he is a Jew  who is one inwardly;  and circumcision  is that  which is  of the heart,  by the Spirit,  not by the letter;  and his praise  is not   from men,  but from God.       Romans 2:29

In following,  we will sing,  “Hallelujah!     Our LORD calls us  —  even us  — praiseworthy  as He loves us  in Christ.”

Love,
Margaret

.

A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

Pray for our country.

**************

.

The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

.

The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

.

Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

.

How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

.

Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

.

O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

.

Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

.

**************

.

Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect,   but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that  for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

.

 …………

.

.

.

.