DO NOT COMPROMISE YOUR VALUES

4th JULY 2020

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” Philippians 3:12

For Christians, the course of your journey through life is already mapped out under the footsteps of Jesus, our Lord and savior! You have to carry your cross along the way! The Master told the young seeker of truth, “Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, then come carry your cross, and follow me” (Ref. Mark 10:17-21) Ordinarily, to carry one’s cross and follow the Master means that we should leave behind all the allurements and temptations of life, and follow the footsteps of the Master and strive towards perfection (Ref: Matthew 5:48). It also means that, notwithstanding the problems that we face in life, we should still believe in God and follow Jesus in faith and obedience.

At some points in life, problems and temptations will arise; you must not quit the path of salvation and decide on your own course. Jesus himself fell under the weight of the cross a few times on His way to crucifixion. At some points, he was assisted to carry the cross by others.  Therefore,  you will also fall from time to time under the weight of temptations and problems; But Jesus says in spite of this, you must follow him! The good news is that; He who has commanded us has given us the grace to be children of God. Therefore, if you strive to carry your cross daily to follow Jesus, He will give you the grace and power to move through the eternal journey of salvation! His grace is always sufficient for us!  

  The Master is not quarreling with anyone being wealthy per se, “but He has a problem with being possessive”. Here, the Master is drawing a difference between “being possessive” and being rich. To be possessive of wealth is to be attached to riches above every other thing, and to carry on life as if wealth is everything. You must not compromise your values no matter how comfortable you have become,  for it is written that man must not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from God. However, to be wealthy is to apply your wealth for the good of everyone! Hence the Master says to the young fellow, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, then pick up your cross and follow me. To pick one’s cross and follow Jesus is to undergo a process of inner transformation wherein on a daily basis, we are able to nail onto our inner cross, all our moral weaknesses.

For instance, if an impure thought to do harm to another, or become disobedience to God should cross  your mind, you are expected to take hold of these and nail them onto your inner cross. There are so many thoughts to do what is not right that cross our hearts daily. Do NOT let such thoughts to take roots and grow in your heart.

Let your mind guard the door of your heart, and decide what comes through. When a sinful thought pops up in your mind the first time, it is a temptation – a “suggestion” from the devil. But you can choose to deny that thought access to your heart! In practice, that means that as soon as you become aware of the thought, you disagree with it. You don’t dwell on it. The thought meets a firm “no” in your mind. You don’t permit the thought to pass through your mind and come into your heart. Ignoring these sinful thoughts is one way you take up your cross daily. The good news is that when you take up your cross and deny the sinful thoughts that come up into your mind, you will actually cease from sin! You will become actually transformed by the renewal of your mind! Jesus wants us to be like Him! This, of course, is a daily exercise, for we must strive daily towards perfection.

Today’s word is telling us to strive daily towards perfection, following Jesus no matter how difficult the journey might seems. That is what the Master expects from us. The good news remains that, if we accept to follow Jesus, while carrying our cross, He will give us the grace and power to move smoothly.

PRAYERS

 Father in the name of Jesus Christ, I thank you for your word today. Father deliver me from my weaknesses and give me the strength to grow in the Spirit. AMEN.

FURTHER READING: Matthew 16:24-26