Tuesday, July 11, 2017

No Looking Back

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As I was running during my lunch break (yes, I try) around a beautiful pond near where I work, a carved wooden sign jumped out at me (not literally) to my left which read “one way – no exit”. Immediately, for some reason, this made me think of what those of us who have “signed up” for following Jesus knew what we were getting into.

You may have watched or read the biography of a famous rock star: almost invariably for those who had the greatest success there was no “Plan B”. They threw themselves into their commitment and never looked back.

The bible contains many instances of the consequences for having a “Plan B” for following God wholeheartedly:: the Israelites (a symbol of the individual Christian) longing to go back to Egypt (i.e., sin) after their miraculous deliverance; Lot's wife looking back to Sodom (sin) while it was being destroyed, and turning to a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26), and Jesus Christ himself and His example, who said “he who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).

Is there something holding you back from following God wholeheartedly? Often it is the “fear of man” (i.e., looking foolish). Well, the Bible has positive things to say about being foolish! (see 1 Corinthians 1:27). The solution to these fears, is to put ourselves aside, and let Christ live through us (Ephesians 4:22-24). Because our old corrupt nature will always fear, but God has no fear! “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). With God’s righteousness covering us, we are “bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1).

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