Weekly Devotional 12-7-15 Identified by Choices
All persons face and make a multitude of choices every day. These choices, if free, help define one’s character. Where one goes and what one does, if compelled, does little to define him. However, where one goes and what one does when free, does define his character. If for instance a man is habitually absent from church on Sunday morning, but at some sporting event, what does that say of him? Does it not say of him that the sporting event is more important to him than the corporate gathering and worship of God? Such decisions may, and probably do, reflect not only on said person’s character, but on his spiritual health.
Turning to the Gospel of Luke we read of three men who were spiritually unhealthy and most likely were not true disciples. We read; “57Now it happened as they [Jesus and His disciples] journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, ‘Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.’ 58And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’ 59Then He said to another, ‘Follow Me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ 60Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.’ 61And another also said, ‘Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.’ 62But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9:57-62 NKJV).
Each person made a choice of putting something else ahead of the Lord. Their choices drew His condemnation. As we each personalize this truth it might be well for us consider our spiritual health, our spiritual condition. What is it that captivates my heart? What is it that captivates your heart?
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man