Blocking the Way

". . . the cares of this world, . . . choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful"

( Mark 4:19 ).

The church service was a powerful one. The message included a passage on the Father's sacrifice in order to bring us salvation, and it included the testimony of a man who had also suffered great loss but loved Jesus even more. The message was dynamic.

I was puzzled, therefore, when I saw some young adults totally unmoved by this and even flippant about the message whenever we were leaving the service. Now, I am a person who is wary of those who feel that emotion is a necessary part of a service, but this reaction by these people threw me. They even mentioned non-entities such as the background scenery and the expressions of other people in the audience.

How could someone be in the same service and see something totally different? How could someone be completely unmoved by the power of God's Word?

Then I realized that some of the people within that group were dallying in the world and its pleasures at the expense of seeing Jesus work in their lives. They had let selfishness take over. I had noticed it in their speech and habits throughout the earlier months but didn't realize how deeply that attitude had sunk. It had taken anchor in their soul and was clogging up the passageway to seeing God's teaching and blessing.

". . . the cares of this world, . . . choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful"
( Mark 4:19 ).

As I seek God's leading at this next stage of my life, I have no idea of the direction He will take me. I do know this, though. Even though I am not sure of His nudge just yet, I don't want to be pushing away His hand by distracting myself with other cares.

I don't want to be so fixated on the road surface that I miss the mansion.

Impacting the World

If we are to tell people about Jesus, what do we present to them? Is Jesus to be presented as an example...a teacher....a highly moralistic citizen of His country?

Let's look at it as we ourselves contemplate who this Jesus is. Let's get back to square one in our Christian walk. Lay aside the social aspect of church. Forget the musical interludes. Put aside the liturgical emphasis.

Who is this Jesus?

Let's look at just a few of the truths about the Savior we may have forgotten:

He became one of us, weaknesses and all

Heb. 4:15 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin."

He endured death and defeated it.

Romans 6:9 - "For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him."

He died so that we could live.

1 John 2:2 - "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."

His victory proved that He was and is the Son of God

Romans 1:4 - "and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord."

One day everyone will recognize His majesty

Philpns 2:10 - "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth..."

So what is the best way to tell them?

I propose that the best and first way to do this is by telling Jesus "thanks." That's it. "Thanks."

By word and by deed. By thought and by living example.

That's it. Simple.

And yet not so.

Oswald Chambers

Here are profound thoughts from Oswald Chambers from his book My Utmost for His Highest:

When I have sadly misunderstood Him? (see John 20:11-18 ). It is possible to know all about doctrine and still not know Jesus. A person’s soul is in grave danger when the knowledge of doctrine surpasses Jesus, avoiding intimate touch with Him. Why was Mary weeping? Doctrine meant no more to her than the grass under her feet. In fact, any Pharisee could have made a fool of Mary doctrinally, but one thing they could never ridicule was the fact that Jesus had cast seven demons out of her (see Luke 8:2 ); yet His blessings were nothing to her in comparison with knowing Jesus Himself. ". . . she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. . . . Jesus said to her, ’Mary!’ " ( John 20:14, 16 ). Once He called Mary by her name, she immediately knew that she had a personal history with the One who spoke. "She turned and said to Him, ’Rabboni!’ " ( John 20:16 ).

In summary (I speak especially to my students from years past) it is of the greatest importance to remember that mere Biblical memorization does not automatically open the door to a oneness with Jesus. Just as I cannot say that I personally know Babe Ruth or Neil Armstrong just because I have memorized knowledge about them, I cannot honestly say that my intellectual grasp of Jesus is enough. It is the experience of submission, frisndhip and worship that completes the bridgespan.

Persecution

Here is a valuable link to use. Whenever you think that you're having a hard time standing for Christ, go over and read some of the persecutions faced today, in real time stories of suffering by Christians around the world.

Click here:

http://www.persecution.com/

This site is provided by the blessed work of the ministry called Voice of the Martyrs. Reading through some of these stories will change your life, I am sure.