Daily Gospel Devotional 2013: Reception or rejection

Luke 10:16…

As ambassadors for Christ, if we honor God He will honor us (1 Samuel 2:30 / John 12:26). But that certainly doesn’t mean others will honor you in this life. The Apostle Paul said, “For me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). Someone who approaches this sanctified place doesn’t care what the opinion of this world is. This is the place to be, as the holy herald of God.

When you are received, what is happening is that God’s Spirit is drawing a soul to Jesus. It is not the messenger who is the draw, but the message of the King. When you are despised, what is happening is that they are attacking the soldier because of the King. They can’t touch Him, but they can take their wrath out on you. However, one day the King will repay them their evil deeds done, not so much to you, but what they did to Him when they did that to you. You are only the instrument. At the core, it is the Great Physician they adore or despise (Matthew 10:40).

We must not take the rejection, or the acceptance, of the message of Christ too personally. We should be passionate about sharing the message, understanding the eternal implications of accepting or rejecting it. But people aren’t choosing or rejecting us; they are choosing or rejecting Jesus. In this, they are choosing or rejecting God. Let’s remember that this is not about us, but about God, His message, His Son, His Kingdom, and His means.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional 2013: To tell the truth

Matthew 11:20-24 / Luke 10:13-15…

So what does it do for your picture of the gentle Jesus to see Him here denouncing whole cities? He is saying to them, “shame on you for not repenting”. The reason they should have been repenting is because they had seen Him perform many mighty works in their presence.  Jesus is pointing out the ingratitude of people who could know Him but who refuse to change.

It can be hard for us to know when we should just “tell it like it is” in the sternest and clearest terms possible, but sometimes we must indeed do it. It is the loving thing to do when people choose destruction over deliverance. This is evident when someone refuses to repent even after being shown so much mercy and grace. There are many who seemed to be among the faithful at one time, even fervently so, but they have now seemed to turn their backs on God and His people (Hebrews 6:4-6 / 1 John 2:19). They may say the right things at times, but it is only from a previous knowledge, it is not from the heart.

True love allows as much space as possible for repentance, but true love is concerned with carelessness, casualness, and warns of the coming calamity for those who are in danger by their direction (Proverbs 28:13-14). Jesus is the embodiment of God’s love, but that means He must stand up for what is right (1 Corinthians 13:6), and warn those who presume upon God’s grace (Romans 2:4), those who forget it (2 Peter 1:9), or those who ignore it in their ingratitude altogether (Hebrews 2:3).

If we want to be like Him, we should tell the truth. 

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional 2013: Advance team

Luke 10:1-12…

The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him… where he himself was about to go. Jesus told them to pray about sending laborers into the harvest, and just as it was with the twelve that were sent out, they were going to be part of the answer to their own prayers. The best prayers have legs. We put our hands together to pray for the harvest, and stretch our hands out to gather it.

I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. When God sends His servants, it is with vulnerability. They were going with power, but they were not supposed to be storing up provisions, or making advance preparations.  They were to be sending, spreading, and looking for peace, the resonance of God’s Spirit among the places and people they would encounter. They were lambs among wolves looking for other lambs. We are not to be slipshod evangelists, planning is fine, but even the best laid plans are in God’s hands. The point is that we are always to be ready, and current accommodation and accoutrement are not our necessary tools (1 Peter 3:15 / 2 Timothy 2:15 / Colossians 4:5-6 / Philemon 1:6).

As God’s child, as a witness to the saving grace of Jesus Christ, you are an ambassador, a royal messenger of the King. But be sure that people will have divided reactions when you bring the message of Jesus to them. Some will receive Him, and embrace His messengers. Others will revile Him, and be enraged against His messengers (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2). Those who do receive you will rejoice with you and refresh you. But the word of peace will not settle in those whose hearts are at war with God.

You are the advance team, welcoming the sons of peace, and warning the sons of perdition.  Your message: The King is coming! Make way in your heart, or lose your soul. 

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©