January 14
Gen 30-31:16 | PS 12 | Prov 3:13-15 | Matt 10:1-23
Many are shocked when they enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ and our other relationships get strained. If you are not students of His Word, then this shock is understandable. But if you read the entirety of the Bible, you will see this is more the norm. The problem often arises when we decide what portions of Scripture we want to read, or which portions of Scripture we want to focus on. God has offered us eternal life through His Son and given us His instruction manual to help us navigate this world so that we are not surprised. Our coming to faith will often fracture some family relationships, cause some difficulties at the workplace, result in less invitations to social gatherings with worldly friends. To be holy means to be set apart, and this means that this process might make the world as we know it less comfortable for us to assimilate into. We should not go out of our way to create friction, but we must be steadfast and true to our calling and when our situation does not look like a happy Facebook moment then we need to understand that we have been forewarned.
We read Jesus' instructions to the twelve apostles as He sends them out to announce, "that the Kingdom of Heaven is near" (Matthew 10:7). He also endows them with powers to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, etc. (10:8). This seems so positive and seemingly would seem so well received. But Jesus warns them in 10:16-22, "Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved." Realize this message directed at His apostles is just as applicable to us today, 2000 years later.
We must understand that people will hold onto their truths, their philosophies, their beliefs, as though it is part of them. When the truth of Jesus puts those beliefs into question the natural reaction is to fight back. Pride will often close ears. Few will humble themselves and allow the truth of Jesus to radically change their lives. Jesus is not Someone you simply add in. In fact, if one states they have done so, yet there has been no change in their day-to-day life, then they probably have not truly accepted Jesus. Coming to faith in Jesus Christ, having the Holy Spirit within us, will change us. This change may be slow. Certain habits and thoughts might take time to leave, but change will indeed occur, as we become set apart for His service. We must remember that we have been told that earth is no longer our home, heaven is. As His ambassadors, we will do our King's work on this earth, but our hope and our future reside in the Person of Jesus Christ.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: