Allways be Ready

Luke 9:24-27

I have no doubt you recall Jesus saying, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”  (Luke 9:23 ESV)  And in this culture and also the one Jesus found Himself in, people were into self.  But I do believe we live in a culture of self on steroids and this battle of flesh and Spirit is on going in all followers of Christ. 

With that stated shall we move on to the remainder of these verses: “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”  (Luke 9:24-25 ESV)  Jim Elliot who in his personnel journal penned; "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." Elliot was referring to Luke 9:24-25, and had no thought of dying I’m sure at this time, but was willing to bring risk to himself so the Huaorani tribe could hear the words of Jesus.  He along with four other missionaries made contact from their airplane with the tribe and passed down gifts in a basket.  They setup a base a short distance from the Indian village and had contact with a few of the tribe.  One or more of these told the tribe these men had bad intentions and 10 warriors came and killed all of them.   Jim and the others lived out what Jesus had said, and they all gained what they could not lose.

But be wise and listen to this, for in this time of darkness you will have your allegiance to Christ challenged, and it may surprise you where the challenge comes from. “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”  (Luke 9:26 ESV)   

As a professional sales person often the enemy who controls (Channel One) the deceptive channel in my mind would feed me thoughts that sure sounded like me, it was a south Texas drawl and it went something like this, “watch out your going to blow this sale, this guy does not want to hear about your faith” and the sad news is often I listen to that channel.  The apostle Peter gives this insight: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15)

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice