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The world has never more needed the example of Christ depicted in His Good Samaritan parable.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Christ’s saints are to be integrally, literally involved in helping others (1 John 3:14-22).

Luke 10:25-37

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

ARE YOU being the good Samaritan today or the Priest and Levite? What’s the difference?

“Condescend (stoop down in humility) to men of low estate.” Romans 12:16

FB Meyer on this parable of the Good Samaritan

“Luke 10:25-37
THE MAN WHO LOVED HIS NEIGHBOR
This parable was probably suggested by the journey up to Jerusalem. It may be founded on an actual occurrence. Notice how the Master answered the inquiry, Who is my neighbor? He said in effect: The question is not, Who will “neighbor” you? but, Whom will you “neighbor?” You ought to ask, Who wants my help? Neighborhood consists, not in what you receive, but in what you give. It is independent of race, creed and the ordinary sentiment of pity. Love overleaps all these distinctions and risks its very life in order to render help. In fact, this parable is a very poem of Love. It is to be compared with 1Co_13:1-13.

Notice those two clauses, He took care of him and Take care of him, Luk_10:34-35. It is thus that our Lord deals with us. When we are too far gone to ask for His help, He comes to our side and restores our ebbing life; and He raises up others to do the same. At the best, we are pilgrims and refresh ourselves in inns, but the home awaits us yonder! Begin by loving with your ‘strength’ and you will end with the ‘heart!'”

 

WHO are we in this parable? Are we the priest, the Levite, or the good Samaritan? In other words, are we real disciples, or are we fake religionists?

The refusal to help someone in need is a clear revelation of the disdain for God in the heart of the priest, the Levite. Counterfeit religionists.

God is Watching

ARE YOU PERSONALLY STANDING UP TO DEFEND, TO RENDER AID… to those who are unjustly dealt with, the poor? ALL who truly saved are. Everyone else is consumed with the sinful god of self. Read the resumé of the wicked, who are said to have a “form of godliness.” Read 2 Timothy 3:1-13. Repent and obey Jesus or perish (Matthew 7:19-21).

“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. 11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” Proverbs 24:10-12

Why do the priests and Levites of this parable of the Good Samaritan ignore the needs of others? It’s because they were unrepentant and full of self, just as was prophesied of this last generation before Jesus’ return – where false professors, counterfeits would be “lovers of their own selves” and therefore could care less about anyone else but themselves (2 Timothy 3:1-13).

Those not actively involved in the Great Commission work of Christ prove they love self and not the Savior. Counterfeits.

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16

ALL who know and love the Savior are busy primarily, most prominently, about the “Father’s business.” (Luke 2:49) They have laid down their own lives in this fleeting work and are abandoned to Christ’s work. Daily they deny self, take up the cross (crucified life), and follow Jesus authentically (Luke 9:23-24; 13:3; 14:27, 33; 17:33; 19:27).

“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:19-21

Saving grace, when a person is possessed by it, enables over coming sin and makes them free to obey God (Romans 6:14; Titus 2:11-12). Anything less is a lie.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:15-17

If you are not actively, today, busy about the “Father’s business” … you have chose to reject Christ and are His very enemy (Matthew 12:30; Luke 2:49; 19:27).

“But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” Luke 19:27 

Read that again. Who did Jesus say His “enemies” are?

Who is reigning in your life, on the throne of your heart today?

IF you are not seeking, serving, worship, obeying Jesus, you are separated from Him – you have rejected the Son of God. Read Matthew 7:13-29 and 1 John 3. You are hell bound. 100% you are a counterfeit and your fake “Christianity” of church attendance, etc. is a flimsy sham you hide behind. God sees right through it and is calling you to repent at once.

Jesus says “Come unto me.” (Matthews 11:28-30) Repentance alone will yield the refreshing of Heaven in your life. | Fresh Start with God

Jesus is the Ultimate Good Samaritan

All who truly love the Bridegroom supremely will follow Him – as He laid down His life for us, so shall we lay down our lives for Him.

The depth of the death and burial in your life is going to determine the height of the resurrection in your life (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). Nothing is going to work right without the cross at the center of your life – Christ’s redeeming cross, and the one He commanded you to take up daily (Matthew 20:38-39; Luke 9:23-24).

DO YOU really want to die as you are? Are you in prayer and ACTION in the Great Commission? If not, do you really think you will hear from Jesus “Well done”? Or will you hear “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:21,23, 41).

“Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:45-46 

When we don’t help Christ’s sheep and His work, and others in need, we are an afront the bless-ed Savior – “ye did it not to me.” “Everlasting punishment” in hell awaits those who are not participating in the work of Christ. They prove they do not love Him supremely. Yet “life eternal” awaits those who are doers of the work of God, who participating in the “Father’s business.” (Luke 2:49) They prove their love for Jesus by their obedience to Him (John 14:15, 21-24; Titus 1:16; James 1:22; 2; 1 John 2:3-6; 3:1-10, etc.).

“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:20-21

All who don’t have the “fruit” of Good Samaritan good works prove they are not known of the Father and will not be with Him. Such are in utter need of true repentance (Matthew 3:7-10).

Neglecting to help others in need, to participating in the work of the Gospel, the Great Commission, is sin. God sees it – He sees that you have ability to pray, to act, to give and is holding you personally responsible to obey Him with what He has given you to use for His glory.

God sees it. The sin of omission.

Enduring to the end in saving faith, is essential to eternal glory (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:22-23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39).

“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” Revelation 2:26

Modern Laodicea

America is the doorway to hell – with the complete abuse of liberty and riches by the vast majority who claim they are saved. But God is going to judge each of us on the basis of His written Word, not according to that which laughingly calls itself “Christian” in America.

Hell is full of “good church members” who bid Godspeed to wolves who use them to build their own church “business” empire (2 John 9-11).

When’s the last time you fasted with prayer? When’s the last time you personally led someone to Jesus? WHO are you putting the Word of God into the heart of?

Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan is playing out before our very eyes (Luke 10:25-37).

Just like the religious priest and levite, the false professors of our day refuse to stop and render aid, practical help to the hurting. Instead they raise their noses undergirded by their false excuses – and God sees it all (Proverbs 24:10-12). Case in point is how many have done zero, have not even whispered a prayer for the unjustly jailed innocent J6ers, 1600 of them. When they were given the bless-ed opportunity to give so that the Scripture-rich ministry books could be sent to the J6ers, they refused to lift a finger to send even $10 or $20. Thank God for those very few who gave. In doing so you have treasure in Heaven waiting (Matthew 6:19-24). You are the good samaritans of our day, of these final days before our LORD returns!

The religious priests and Levites of today are those who have no charity, no love in action, proving they are goats who will be separated from the sheep of Christ’s pasture and vanquished into the flaming prison of fire. They were too busy justifying their demonic hatred for the man who GOD raised up and is using to set those innocents free. Trump.

Do we begin to see that this is much deeper, eternally deeper and more significant than a man, a candidate? See 1 John 3:16-22.

We are seeing the separation between Christ’s sheep and the goats (Matthew 25).

Maybe in His mercy, in the days ahead, God will allow these goats to be unjustly incarcerated for themselves to see how it feels. That would be mercy – because these people are as sure for hell – to be irrevocably incarcerated therein – as if they were already there.

They are “lovers of their own selves” and so have no heart for anyone else. They have a mere “form of godliness” (2 Timothy 3:1-13). They won’t so much as give up 4 cups of coffee monthly to feed the poor, to help fund the preaching of the Gospel to the lost.

Talk is cheap.

“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 7:19

It’s simple: Repent and bring forth fruit meet for, consistent with, true repentance (Matthew 3:7-10). Render aid to those in need around you. Abandon your life in this world. Deny self. Take up the cross daily. Follow Jesus, or perish in the the flames of eternal damnation, world with out end, as a counterfeit, a self-serving rebel.

Perhaps the priest and Levite (mere religionists) who passed by and refused to help the man who was robbed and left for dead thought within themselves…. “Well, I help people at my local church. I give at the church.” But Jesus condemned both those religionists and confirmed the Good Samaritan.

Crushing the Lies – the Priest and the Levite Live Today

“The Parable of the man left by the side of the road, wounded and left for dead (Luke 10:25-37), serves as a model for the great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), and represents loving Jesus with your whole heart, soul and mind and your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22: 34-40). The man in this Parable represents all of humanity in their fallen state. A dying world. Dead in their trespasses, with no hope. The medicine is the blood of Christ that can give us peace with God and cleanse us from our sins. V34 ‘Set him on his own beast,’ meaning the good Samaritan walked along side him. We are to be the good Samaritans who bring the lost to Jesus. Do we have compassion on the lost as Jesus did (Mark 6: 34)? Or are we selfish and too self-absorbed to see the people who are lying by the side of the road dying in their sin and in need of Jesus? Like the Priests and Levites did in the story, they passed by blinded by their own selfishness.” Karen Cochran

All organized religion is 100% false. It’s puts out the fire of the people. Christ did not come to begin a new religion but rather to establish His kingdom in the hearts of men (Matthew 16:18). Jesus says “Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, 7). Religion is not the way to Jesus – Jesus is the way to the Father (John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5). Satan’s religions, while promising to be the way to God actually subvert the Gospel of Christ and prevent men from knowing Him, sending them to a devil’s hell irrevocably. This is something you never hear in organized liturgical cults or any organized churches. Repent now and follow Jesus only – according to HIS written Word (KJB). Or perish in the flames of eternal damnation. There is only one LORD, Savior, Redeemer, and KING – JESUS CHRIST. Make peace with God now – before it’s too late.

What do we truly value, love?

WHAT you are spending your time and money on reveals exactly what’s important to you, what you value, where your heart truly is.

¨Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.¨ Matthew 6:19-21

Money, Material Wealth, and Riches [podcast]

We know Jesus has mercifully found and saved and is taking care of us. And so we join the ultimate Good Samaritan, the Savior, in reaching out, taking care of, ministering to, loving others.

Do you desire for God to use you mightily as He did in the story of the Good Samaritan?

Stop. Surrender.

“If you see someone falling behind, walk beside them. If you see someone being ignored, find a way to include them. If someone has been knocked down (by life), lift them up. Always remind people that they are the very creation of God who has a special purpose for them in His family and in this temporal world. One small act could mean the world to them.” unknown

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

Is your life all about you or Jesus?

“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15

Precious one of the LORD, do people around you see Jesus? Do they see something in your life that is presently absent from their own life?

PRAYER: Holy Father, You are the Potter and I am Your clay. Please pour the water of Your Holy Spirit on my heart to make me poor and pure in heart. Please grant me to have an heart of flesh. Take away the stony places of my heart which were caused by my own rebellion, my own sin – namely self-righteousness, self-idolatry, pride, and unbelief. Please have Your way in my life. Here and now, I lay my life in Your hands. From this moment forward, not my will but Thine be done dear Jesus! Now please use me to help, to lift up the downtrodden. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Abiding

“Fervent in Spirit” [podcast]


“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” Romans 12:11

Concerning being “fervent in spirit,” one commentator notes that this means to:

“Maintain zeal to the boiling point.” Dake

“Fervent” – A primary verb; to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), that is, (figuratively) be fervid (earnest): – be fervent.

“Do nothing at any time but what is to the glory of God, and do every thing as unto him; and in every thing let your hearts be engaged.” Adam Clarke

“Never let your zeal flag (lag, drop, tank), maintain the spiritual glow, serve the Lord.” Here we are reminded of the words of Jeremiah 48:10: ‘Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully,'” Believer’s Bible Commentary

Apollos was “fervent in the spirit.”

“This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being FERVENT in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.” Acts 18:25 

In all things Christ’s saints are to be “fervent in spirit”:

“Not slothful in business; FERVENT in spirit; serving the Lord;” Romans 12:11

Disciples of Jesus are to have a “fervent mind” toward all saints and ministers of His blessed Gospel:

“And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your FERVENT mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.” 2 Corinthians 7:7 

“Fervent prayer” is to be offered to God for other of His saints:

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual FERVENT prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James_5:16

Jesus’ people are to have “fervent charity among” ourselves:

“And above all things have FERVENT charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

“Fervent heat” will soon consume the wicked who refused the salvation that comes from Christ alone:

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with FERVENT heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10 

“Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with FERVENT heat.” 2 Peter 3:12 

On this biblical topic of fervency, of being “fervent in spirit”, one commentary offers the following:

“2 Peter 3:

To be ‘fervent in spirit’ means to have intense, burning passion, zeal, and enthusiasm for spiritual matters, often linked to serving God, rather than being lukewarm or apathetic. It implies being ‘boiled’ with spiritual energy, actively engaged, and diligent in faith, as described in Romans 12:11, (‘not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord’). It’s a passionate, fiery commitment, distinct from fanaticism, involving earnest application and a deep love for God. 

Key aspects:

  • Intensity: A deep, glowing, or boiling heat of emotion and dedication. 
  • Diligence: Not being lazy or half-hearted, but actively applying oneself to spiritual duties. 
  • Spiritual Zeal: A strong desire and excitement for God’s will, the Gospel, and spiritual growth. 
  • Source: Often described as being moved by the Holy Spirit, a fire within. 
  • Biblical Example: Apollos was described as ‘fervent in the spirit’ as he taught diligently about the Lord (Acts 18:25). 
How it’s expressed:
  • Passionate prayer
  • Diligent study of God’s Word
  • Active, loving service to others
  • Bold witnessing for faith
  • Being ‘on fire’ for God, not lukewarm” 

Jesus says that those in His church who are “lukewarm” will be spued or rejected (Revelation 3:15-16). What’s the opposite of being “lukewarm”? – being “fervent in spirit.”

“Amen! Don’t let your fire die as the church in Laodicea did! They were neither cold nor hot. They were lukewarm. Comfortable! Indifferent! Their fire for the Lord had gone out. God’s not looking for people who play it safe but people who burn with fire for Him!!!” Karen Cochran

YOUR PRAYER: LORD, make me Yours. Please keep me close to You, NO MATTER what it takes. Break me dear LORD. Let the holy light of Your presence permeate and shine through my inner man. I am Your temple Jesus. Shine Your light on all darkness. I love You my LORD. In Jesus’ name.

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Abiding

It’s not all Going to be Pretty [podcast]


“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:3

One of Paul’s resumes of the sufferings he endured as an apostle of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:3-10

“3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

4  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

5  In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

6  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

7  By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

8  By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

9  As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

10  As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

You are His. Cling to Him. The LORD Jesus is going to bring you through, not matter what you face (Deuteronomy 13:4).

“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:1-2

“Hated”

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22

“Ye shall Laugh”

“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21  Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22  Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” Luke 6:20-22

“Through  much Tribulation”

“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22

Eternity with Christ, “with Joy”

“For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12

“To Make them White”

“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33  And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34  Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35  And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.” Daniel 11:32-35

“Made white … the wise shall understand”

“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:10

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Abiding

Counting the Cost – Following Jesus to the End of Your Life [podcast]


The Cost of Discipleship

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

Those who count the cost refuse to count their own life dear to themselves and this is the only way not to be derailed, to finish our course, enduring to the end.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11

Those who balk at and ignore that Jesus says you MUST “endure to the end” to be “saved” into eternal glory, simply do not love Him (Matthew 10:22; 24:13, etc.). Jesus is not worth their life. They were worth His life which He gave for them on the cross, yet the Son of God is not worth giving up their own life in this fleeting world. Counterfeits. These are the frauds who hide behind the eternal security sham.

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33  

EARTHLY FAMILY DOES NOT COME FIRST – THE LORD DOES

By divine design, there’s an order of priority in the Ten Commandments. Here’s the first of the ten:

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3

And the fifth:

“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12

Honoring God supersedes even the love we have for our husband/wife.

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-39

Jesus knew that if we don’t love Him supremely, we will allow other relationships to interfere and circumvent our relationship with Him.

If we don’t hate those other relationships compared to our love for Him, our decisions will be affected, will be to please them and not Him. When we love the LORD supremely, His will takes precedence, priority over all others.

“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26 

We must love the LORD so much that our love for others is near to being hate in comparison. If we don’t love God supremely, others will without exception, drag us downward and away from Him.

Of this passage in Luke 14, FB Meyer wrote:

“Our love must be greater than the ties of family affection, Luk_14:26; must be greater than our love for our own way, which must be nailed to the Cross, Luk_14:27; must be greater than our love of possessions and property, Luk_14:33. Christ has done more than any other teacher to cement the relationships of human love, but He always asks that they should be subordinated to the claims of God. Oh, for the love that Paul had! See Php_3:8.”

“What a comfort it is to realize that God counted the cost before He set about the task of redemption, whether of a world or of us as individuals. He knew all that it would cost, and surely He did not begin what He cannot complete!”

In Matthew 10, after speaking of the essential of enduring to the end (v22), Jesus gives warning concerning those things most likely to derail and prohibit our enduring to the end in His will.

“And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 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.” Matthew 10:36-37

Of this Adam Clarke wrote:

“He that loveth father or mother more than me – He whom we love the most is he whom we study most to please, and whose will and interests we prefer in all cases. If, in order to please a father or mother who are opposed to vital godliness, we abandon God’s ordinances and followers, we are unworthy of any thing but hell.”

Of Matthew 10:34-42, FB Meyer writes profoundly:

“RECEIVING CHRIST’S REPRESENTATIVES

In Jesus Christ we acquire a new affinity, stronger than that of family ties. When we enter into the family of God we belong to all His children. They are our brethren and sisters in the most intimate sense. See Mat_12:48-50. The new love that floods our nature does not make us less but more tender and sympathetic toward our own kith and kin; but if we are compelled to choose, then we must stand with the children of God, though it should rend us from the old happy family life in which we were nurtured.

As to the closing paragraph, may we not illustrate it thus? When the widow who sustained Elijah at Zarephath entered Paradise, she found herself standing amid the great prophets of Israel. When she asked the attendant angel whether there was not some mistake, he replied, ‘Certainly not. In treating the prophet as you did, you proved yourself to be of the same spirit and temper as he; and it is but right that you should share in the prophet’s reward.’”

To those who are entangled with earthly family, namely unbelievers who are not repenting, it would be spiritually beneficial to get free, to cease your dependence on them and to sever the soul ties and cease basing your emotional well-being on them and how they view you and your decisions. Lay the axe to the root as you denounce false obligation to them. “Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60). Read Matthew 10.

You are no longer your own. You are bought with the price of Christ’s blood (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). You now and forever are a part, a member of the eternal family of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:14-15).

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole FAMILY in heaven and earth is named,” Ephesians 3:14-15

Jesus Addressed the Excuses

Jesus addresses excuses, diversions concerning obeying Him, asserting our highest priority – the LORD, not family. The point becomes even clearer – that we are to be captive to the LORD, our “first love,” supremely, and not family (Revelation 2:4-5).

“And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father (wait till parents die). 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:59-62 

Jesus further establishes that He is to be supreme in our lives and those who are His – not natural familial bonds. The body of Christ, its members, are our eternal family.

“And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:27-28 

The harshest of biblical truth is the delicacy, the delight of the true disciple of Jesus. He runs to all of it and never from any of it. He embraces the cross, never evading it. He delights in the sword of the Spirit that cuts to the core and carves the image of Christ into his life – into the fabric, the innermost core of who he is in Christ! Christ and Christ alone is his sole identity and he counts not his own life in this world dear unto himself so that he is able to finish his course with great joy – hearing from His Savior the sweetest of all words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant … enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21; Acts 20:24; Romans 8:29; Galatians 2:20; 6:14; 2 Timothy 2:3).

Militancy is essential in our abiding relationship with Christ (Matthew 11:12). Heartfelt love also.

So many today who claim Christ view salvation as something they did in the past and not a present relationship with Christ on His stated terms (John 15; Titus 1:16).

Jesus commands His very own to “endure unto the end” to be “saved,” and unless one becomes deliberate, absolute, militant, he will not make it “unto the end” with Christ (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Mark 9:43-49; 2 Timothy 2:3, etc.).

“And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage (a messenger to negotiate peace), and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:25-33 

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:5-7

Striving Lawfully – That is, According to the Rules, the Terms

Denouncing the crippling, corrupting comforts of Laodicea. Grasping for the obedient love of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-22).

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” 2 Timothy 2:3-5 

May God bless each of His people to “endure hardness” as good soldiers of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). Take note that “there is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:11). The LORD made His servant Jeremiah obey Him on His terms. God never bends or modifies, bends the rules (2 Timothy 2:5). We must not deceive ourselves and must “strive lawfully” which means according to HIS terms, not our own or any other.

“And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” 2 Timothy 2:5

“Be Not Weary in Well Doing”

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

SATAN tempting you to give up? Who wins if you do? Where shall you turn? Turning away from God means we are without Him in our life and trials, right? The LORD, who is your Potter, has a plan. He will absolutely bring you through the floods of water and fire! (Isaiah 43:1-2; Jeremiah 18:1-6) After saving us, God has to bring us to an end of ourselves and that happens through “much tribulation” (Acts 14:22; 2 Corinthians 4; 12:7-12, etc.). Read 2 Corinthians 4. When Jesus had fed the flesh of the multitudes, they turned and walked away from the Savior. But…

“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” John 6:67-68

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