How it is..

This is a trustworthy saying . . . 2 Timothy 2:11 NLT The apostle Paul has four of these “trustworthy sayings.” The first occurs in 1 Timothy 1:15: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” The next is in 1 Timothy 4:8–9: “Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.” The third is in 2 Timothy 2:11–12: “Here is a trustworthy saying . . . if we endure, we will also reign with him.” And the fourth is in Titus 3:3: “This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good” (NLT). We can trace a connection among these trustworthy sayings. The first one lays the foundation of our eternal salvation in the free grace of God, as shown to us in the mission of the great Redeemer. The next one affirms our double blessedness through this salvation—the blessings of the upper and lower springs, of time and of eternity. The third one shows a key duty to which chosen people are called: we are ordained to suffer for Christ, with the promise that “if we endure, we will also reign with him.” The last one describes the active form of Christian service, calling us to maintain good works with diligence. So we have the root of salvation in free grace; next, the privileges of that salvation in the life that is now and in that which is to come; and we also have the two great branches of suffering with Christ and serving with Christ, loaded with the fruits of the Spirit. Treasure up these trustworthy sayings. - C. H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening. 

This, to me, was awesome to find in this morning's devotional.  In recent days, I have been asking God questions about things that history records concerning Israel.  It certainly appears that He has been showing me. 

But in this...it's more about our history and our footprint that is being written down to become history.  Read what Spurgeon said about Paul. These trustworthy sayings and their meanings.  Read and think about what it should mean to you. 

What does it mean to be a Christian? Is it as we see so many shipwrecked people are doing? Trying to drive so close to the edge of the cliff between God's ways and what the world off that people don't acknowledge the dangers?

I will offer this example.  20 years ago was a huge leap for me.  Not in getting married, but rather in moving way out of my comfort zone of my hometown to the big city.  When I first got to the big city, the way people drove scared the world out of me.  How can people be that way!  20 years later, the driver's haven't changed.  I have. It no longer scares me.  I find myself just saying 'Really!?!'.  I had become insensitive to the warnings of driving that way from others.  It only mildly affected my own driving.  If anything I developed skills to deal with others. 

In this same 20 years we have been to various churches. I have seen people walking very close to Christ. Have seen oh so many who have no clue how much they have caved in to idolatry.  They worship what is important to them.  Read that again. You worship what is important to you.  God has warned that it's impossible to serve two Masters.  You can't have a deep, thriving, relationship with Jesus and cling to this world.  This world didn't die for you.  Jesus died for you.  These sayings that Spurgeon mentioned connect everything to do with you and your Savior. 

In 20 years I have seen so many who are ok speaking of the things of God ok. But their passion and zeal only came out if you spoke against a sports team or celebrity.  So where was their heart?  What were they worshipping?

 Can you invite Jesus into your heart then assign Him servants quarters?  Give the rest of your heart to what you are passionate about?  People do that! They only call Jesus out when they are in trouble.  Trust me, if that's only when you want to talk to Him, you are already in trouble.  If you hold a writer, a celebrity, a sports figure, what they say, or do, higher in your respect, love and obedience to God then you have a significant problem. 

Don't think you are immune to this...it's been happening since the beginning of time.  Jesus mentions of loving anyone or anything more than Him isn't worthy of Him.  That was before the creation of the Church.  

These trustworthy sayings are a guide to your life.  They can help you stay in check with the Christian life. 

Jesus wants all of your heart. Not the servants quarters.  This world is going to perish.  Do not love the world nor the things in the world. That's what the Bible says.  That's Jesus speaking.  Don't live so close to the line of sin that people can't see where Jesus ends and the world begins. People ought to see the difference and glorify God because of what they see in you.