Have
you ever trusted someone and you were so let down? Even the most consistent
person can betray you trust at critical moment because the nature of man is
inconsistent.
John the Baptist heralded Jesus and His earthly ministry (John 1:29), while Jesus openly acknowledged Johns’ endorsement but Jesus was quick to point out that as much as such endorsement was good, humans endorsement was fickle and temporary (John 5:33-37). Men will praise you today and turn back to abuse you the next moment. The only consistent endorsement and testimony is that of God (John 5:36-37). At a certain time when John was in prison and help was not forthcoming, he sent people to Jesus to enquire if Jesus was really the messiah or the real messiah was yet to come. Peter thought that his love for Jesus would help him stick to Him but at the critical moment Peter denied Jesus (Lk22:54-62). The nature of man is greatly inconsistent and most people can only proclaim Jesus when things are rosy and smooth. It takes God strengthening us and restoring us to Himself to be able to acknowledge Jesus in time of trouble, the same way He restored Peter (John 21:15-19). We believe to inherit His blessings but our belief also makes us partakes of His suffering (Rom 8:7, 2Cor 1:7). That was why Jesus said that of all men born of a woman, John the Baptist was the greatest but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist. No one is worthy of God’s kingdom if one only serve God in time of comfort; those worthy of the kingdom are not those He has blessed but also those ready to suffer for His sake. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trails, knowing that the test of your faith produce patience. But let patience have it perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James1:2-4).
John the Baptist heralded Jesus and His earthly ministry (John 1:29), while Jesus openly acknowledged Johns’ endorsement but Jesus was quick to point out that as much as such endorsement was good, humans endorsement was fickle and temporary (John 5:33-37). Men will praise you today and turn back to abuse you the next moment. The only consistent endorsement and testimony is that of God (John 5:36-37). At a certain time when John was in prison and help was not forthcoming, he sent people to Jesus to enquire if Jesus was really the messiah or the real messiah was yet to come. Peter thought that his love for Jesus would help him stick to Him but at the critical moment Peter denied Jesus (Lk22:54-62). The nature of man is greatly inconsistent and most people can only proclaim Jesus when things are rosy and smooth. It takes God strengthening us and restoring us to Himself to be able to acknowledge Jesus in time of trouble, the same way He restored Peter (John 21:15-19). We believe to inherit His blessings but our belief also makes us partakes of His suffering (Rom 8:7, 2Cor 1:7). That was why Jesus said that of all men born of a woman, John the Baptist was the greatest but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist. No one is worthy of God’s kingdom if one only serve God in time of comfort; those worthy of the kingdom are not those He has blessed but also those ready to suffer for His sake. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trails, knowing that the test of your faith produce patience. But let patience have it perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James1:2-4).
The
grace is available for those who have once denied Jesus, just as Jesus restored
Peter and Peter went on to become one the pillar of the Gospel. What you are
passing through is a trial to shape you and refine you for God’s work.
Peace
No comments:
Post a Comment