READ:
MATTHEW 19:27-30
Following
Jesus is the most rewarding venture one can engage in. of course, it will
attract suffering and persecution. Yet you will be more than adequately
compensated for every difficulty you go through for His name’s sake. In Matthew
5:10-12, Jesus says it is a great privilege if you are persecuted or punished
for following Him. He says your reward in Heaven would be great. He expects you
to celebrate your booty.
How many Christians can actually jump up and say ‘Praise God’ and begin to dance and celebrate when they are persecuted? Not many. This is because they have not appreciated the importance of Christ’s words, and they do not believe Him. Have you been denied promotion in your place of work because you refused to compromise and sin? Have you lost juicy contract because you refused to give kick backs or kick fronts? Have you suffered in a particular course at school just because you would not sleep with the lecturer? Are people calling you names such as ‘foolish man’ because you refused to use your vantage position in society to loot the public treasury and multiply assets like your predecessors?
Jesus says rejoice. You are blessed. The reward that is deposited into your Heavenly account for suffering that loss for Christ cannot be compared with what you lost on earth. Today’s reading and Mark 10:28-30 further say that in the course of following Jesus, you may be required to leave family, parents and property. But adds that everything you sacrifice for the Gospel will return one hundred fold to you here on earth! If you loose one house and get 100 houses, I think that is more than fair. In addition, you will inherit everlasting life and in the millennium you will sit on thrones with Jesus and co-reign with Him (Revelation 20:4-6). Are you ready to suffer for Jesus and follow Him all the way?
How many Christians can actually jump up and say ‘Praise God’ and begin to dance and celebrate when they are persecuted? Not many. This is because they have not appreciated the importance of Christ’s words, and they do not believe Him. Have you been denied promotion in your place of work because you refused to compromise and sin? Have you lost juicy contract because you refused to give kick backs or kick fronts? Have you suffered in a particular course at school just because you would not sleep with the lecturer? Are people calling you names such as ‘foolish man’ because you refused to use your vantage position in society to loot the public treasury and multiply assets like your predecessors?
Jesus says rejoice. You are blessed. The reward that is deposited into your Heavenly account for suffering that loss for Christ cannot be compared with what you lost on earth. Today’s reading and Mark 10:28-30 further say that in the course of following Jesus, you may be required to leave family, parents and property. But adds that everything you sacrifice for the Gospel will return one hundred fold to you here on earth! If you loose one house and get 100 houses, I think that is more than fair. In addition, you will inherit everlasting life and in the millennium you will sit on thrones with Jesus and co-reign with Him (Revelation 20:4-6). Are you ready to suffer for Jesus and follow Him all the way?
MEMORIZE:
2 CORINTHIANS 4:17 –For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works
for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
