Luke 17 – 18
Verse 17:1 ensures we understand we live in a fallen world:
Jesus (to His
disciples): You can’t stop temptations to do wrong from coming.
But how tragic it will be for the person who becomes the source of the
temptation!
Once saved by the blood of Jesus does not mean our life will
be pure and holy. Far from it in many cases, we get sucked back into the sins
that led to our salvation. Often we may have a conversion, but our friends do
not and unfortunately they have a huge influence over most. This is why it’s
best to be surrounded with likeminded believers to help each other when
temptations come, because they will.
This is why it is so critical to be into a daily (or more)
prayer time, a daily Bible study and have a circle of close friends who believe
the same. Often we need to shirk our old friends because they will be driven
(by Satan) to get you back to the party animal you once were. We must be
vigilant to watch for temptation and it’s grips in our lives and run from it!
Verse 17:33 is the ultimate paradox:
If you try to hold on to your life,
it will slip through your fingers; if you let go of your life, you’ll keep it.
This is difficult to swallow, especially for us guys who
tend to be control freaks. To just say ok, and let go is one thing that most
people find impossible. Even after almost losing my life forever, while being
dead and assume lost mentally once revived, I rejoice at my life, but still
have difficulty just saying ok, wherever this takes me is fine. We must learn
to trust the Lord in his direction for our lives, even if it doesn’t include a Porsche.
These two are the ultimate struggles for most of us, letting
go and not getting sucked away. Our salvation is not dependent on failing at
either, but our life here on earth is. God’s plan may include a rich life or it
may include being a poor martyr in some far off land. Remember the potter makes
fancy vases as well as trash receptacles for a purpose.
Verse 18:27 ends the parable of the rich man who was asked
to give it all and refused:
Remember, what is humanly
impossible is possible with God.
Jesus used the camel through an eye of a needle comparison
when talking about the rich going into heaven. And this gives eternal hope to
all those with money who are grasping it. Your salvation is not dependent on
you being poor, but because money has a grasp on all of us, money can replace
God often. I know my focus is more on money than on God much of my life. I
freak out about not having enough for bills, for judgments or life in general.
When God has shown me over and over not to worry since God has provided with or
without a job. Things are desolate now having mountains of medical bills
looming, a judgment and no job, but we seem to always sell the right thing and
have enough for the next round of life. All is good and God is great!! Just let
go, flea from temptation and know it’s all possible with God!
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