DEVOTIONAL
but it shakes the priorities resulting from mistaken compromises, human traditions or selfish reasoning. The call of Christ is made in the right moment, time and circumstances (“My times are in thy hand,” Psalm 31:15). When God calls, we must leave all other commitments behind. When this man said “suffer me,” Jesus answered: “Let the dead bury their dead.” But the man decided to remain and fulfill his priorities, and so he went to the company of the dead. Turning away from the call of Christ is to go back to death. III. INDECISION The response of this last disciple was, “I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house” (61). This disciple had emotional bonds. The Lord was not forbidding him to say goodbye to his family, but this man was scared that he would not see his family again. Disciples cannot doubt God’s care and pro-
tection; many live in fear, as they have never experienced a life dependent on the living God. “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrew 13:5-6). Jesus answered, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (v. 62). God cares for those who put themselves in His hands, and even more, He blesses unconverted relatives through the believers who follow him. What will we do with the call of Christ? Let us accept the stone for a pillow, for Christ makes it soft for the obedient. Let us accept the burial of feelings, for Christ is the one who raises the dead. Let us accept the plow of responsibility, for the kingdom of the heavens offers us these opportunities. Those who can overcome these conditions will have a strong and booming discipleship; they will be victorious in Christ and with Christ l
Let us accept the stone for a pillow, for Christ makes it soft for the obedient. Let us accept the burial of feelings, for Christ is the one who raises the dead. Let us accept the plow of responsibility, for the kingdom of the hea vens offers us these opportunities. Those who can overcome these conditions will have a strong and booming discipleship; they will be victorious in Christ and with Christ.
December 2016 / Impacto evangelistic
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