By Jim Miller
Gray, Maine
I want you this morning to consider the words of Christ from the book of Mathew. Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
To many this sounds like a great sacrifice, yet actually when you sit down and study the scripture with honest intent seeking to do Gods will it is clear that nothing is worth losing your salvation over.
Just like the rich young ruler who had followed all he knew to do yet was unwilling to give up his riches rather that secure his eternal home many today can not or will not make the needed sacrifices to secure theirs. All one needs to do is look around and see all the false religions that men have devised for themselves in order to satisfy their own beliefs rather than embrace the word of God and change or give up the things they want.
Some folks rather than investigate the truth for themselves sit in the pew and let others tell them what to think. Religion has become like an old fashioned lunch buffet where you can simply pick and choose what you wish to believe or what sounds good to you. If you do not like something no problem skip it it won't matter they say. You do not like baptism no problem but you like getting drunk on Saturday night before you come to church well go ahead we won't say anything to hurt your feelings.
Many good men get up every day and they put on their armor and pick up the sword the word of God and go out and seek to bring the truth to others. They battle against the whiles of Satan striving to bring others to Christ and the knowledge of how to obtain true salvation. There are far to few these days in my opinion.
These Godly men do not stand by and let false doctrines be taught they stand on Gods word and rebuke and reprove false teachers showing them for who and what they are. It becomes more difficult everyday because people seek to have their ears tickled with false praise rather than the truth. When these false teachers are confronted and their doctrines are proven false they do not turn to God and repent the go on the attack and do and say whatever they think will keep them looking good in the eyes of those they have deceived seeking the glory for themselves not the Lord.
These false teachers tell their followers that they can not understand Gods word that they must be told how and what to believe. The false teacher knows that the minute someone follows what is written in second Timothy 2:15 that he will lose that follower. 2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. These false teachers know that Timothy was warned that he should shun the false teacher….. 2Ti 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
Do not be fooled these men are very cunning and can twist Gods word till it is hardly recognizable. They shun the context of what is written cherry picking what they choose to teach and have you believe. Let me remind you again of what is written second Timothy Four verses three through five 2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
We are set at odds so to speak with any who refuse to follow the Lord whether it is family, friend, or the things of this world and there is a clear simple reason for this we have free will to choose God or the world. We are instructed to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness in Mat: 6 v33 As always I implore you to open your bible and search the scriptures you can understand them just as I do just as millions of other Christians can and do. I am asking you today will you be as the rich young ruler or will you come stand with God? It is a choice only you can make.
