Today’s post is by guest writer Keith Ward.
In our Matthew class, I noted that chapter 19 is all about the cost of discipleship. Jesus does teach about Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage, but his main purpose in that section is that some may have to give up their sexuality for the kingdom's sake (vss 1-12). Go read it and tell me what else, “become eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven’s sake” might mean.
His next point is that we must become little children (vss13-15). So, Jesus challenges us to give up all that makes a man a man. In the kingdom, a man is not “just a man” bound by his nature, he makes choices for God.
Finally, he talks about how hard it is for a rich man to enter (vss 16-30). Will you do what the rich young ruler would not and give up your success, your money, your status, your sense of fulfillment?
This changes a lot of perspectives in the Marriage Divorce Remarriage section--It IS hard. No compromise at all. Do you want Jesus badly enough to give it up? He will not do what many denominations have done and accept the alternate or sinful lifestyles because that is “just how they are” or "God wants me to be happy."
It may come as a shock, but God does not care whether you are happy. He wants you to be saved and that process may make one unhappy! One may be full of joy in his relationship with Jesus and in the life of triumph and the hope of eternal life while realizing that temporal happiness will never come. Did not Paul feel this way?
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Phil 4:11-13
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort .2Cor 1:7-9
Keith Ward
In our Matthew class, I noted that chapter 19 is all about the cost of discipleship. Jesus does teach about Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage, but his main purpose in that section is that some may have to give up their sexuality for the kingdom's sake (vss 1-12). Go read it and tell me what else, “become eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven’s sake” might mean.
His next point is that we must become little children (vss13-15). So, Jesus challenges us to give up all that makes a man a man. In the kingdom, a man is not “just a man” bound by his nature, he makes choices for God.
Finally, he talks about how hard it is for a rich man to enter (vss 16-30). Will you do what the rich young ruler would not and give up your success, your money, your status, your sense of fulfillment?
This changes a lot of perspectives in the Marriage Divorce Remarriage section--It IS hard. No compromise at all. Do you want Jesus badly enough to give it up? He will not do what many denominations have done and accept the alternate or sinful lifestyles because that is “just how they are” or "God wants me to be happy."
It may come as a shock, but God does not care whether you are happy. He wants you to be saved and that process may make one unhappy! One may be full of joy in his relationship with Jesus and in the life of triumph and the hope of eternal life while realizing that temporal happiness will never come. Did not Paul feel this way?
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Phil 4:11-13
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort .2Cor 1:7-9
Keith Ward
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