The Why #1
There are many reasons that we’ve given up our previous lives.
The most important one, however, is that we believe Jesus may have been prescribing a different life than the one we were previously following as “Christians”.
What if Jesus was serious when he said things like, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters --- yes, even his own life --- he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26)?
We create fancy methods of rationalizing our lifestyles. We’ve excelled at ways to decide what Jesus really meant to say, and why we shouldn’t take his words at face value.
“That just means to love God more than anything else,” we say. Or, “that just means to hold your money with a loose hand.”
Jesus is all-powerful. If that’s what he meant, why didn’t he just say that instead?
If Jesus didn’t literally mean what he said, then what are we all doing here?
Sometimes Jesus was talking in parables, but in many cases we ignore his direct instructions.
With an open mind and rationalizations aside, what if Jesus actually meant it when he said the following things:
“You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Luke 18:22)
“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Luke 16:13)
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:13)
“Consider how the lilies grow, they do not labor or spin… If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you?.. And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well.” (Luke 12:27)
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:33)
“Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:60)
“On thing you lack… Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. The come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21)
Matthew 25:31-46- “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:21)
“For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road the leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13)
“So do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
(Matthew 6:31)
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Matthew 6:24)
To be continued…