KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Chapters: Matthew 19, Mark 10
Message: We Are His Workmanship
Hello My Friend,
Christian; Follower of Christ or Little Christ. There are so many religions that proclaim they are Christian, but think about what they are calling themselves, a follower of Christ, that means you are to live a Christ filled life, that includes salvation by grace. There are many people in the world truly trying to live the Christian life, the one thing they are lacking is Christ. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:8-10.
“For we are his workmanship,” Being a Christian takes a commitment, and it first begins with accepting that Christ alone is the only one who can save you from hell because you are a sinner, and receiving Him as Your Saviour is the only option for salvation. The marriage between a man and woman is very sacred to God, but not very sacred to man, especially today, people are quick to divorce the second they disagree with each other. When Moses instituted the bill of divorcement, it was for the purpose of a husband being allowed to break the commitment he made with his wife should he find her doing something immoral. However, just like every law was exploited to serve their needs they began divorcing their wives for careless reasons, some even because they saw another woman they desired more. The Pharisees, like always tempted Jesus by asking Him if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus responds.
“And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” – Matthew 19:4-9.
“Whosoever shall put away his wife,” Getting saved is a marriage, which is why we will all be presented to Jesus as His bride, we took a vow to only trust Him as our Saviour and He took a vow to save our soul, and that marriage can never be broken. However, it can be cracked if we are not committed to Him after we are saved. It is the hardness of the heart that separates a person from Christ, but you cannot be saved then go back into the world, it is much harder on you because You know Christ. “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” – Hebrews 6:4-6.
Regardless of how long ago or recently we accepted Christ as our Saviour, all who believe in and receive Christ will be in the kingdom of God, some will just stay here and be used of Christ longer. A Christian is not sinless, but does live their lives with Him in it and understands that they will face some ridicule, criticism, and rejection because of their faith. However, if you are not saved none of that will matter because God does not see what you are going through. A man came up to Jesus as asked Him how he could have eternal life, he followed many commands, but would not give up his possessions for God, he walked away sorrowful instead of trusting Him.
“And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” – Mark 10:17-23.
“all these have I observed from my youth.” Following God’s commands is one thing, following Christ is another, it does not matter how many of God’s commands we observe, unless we follow Christ none of it will matter to God. Look at it this way, there is wall that separates man from God, within that wall is a window with a curtain, and a locked door, while He creates all, He does not see all because of this wall. We can follow every command written in the Old and New Testament, but if He does not see us it does nothing. Jesus is the key to unlocking the door, once we receive Him as our Saviour, the door is opened, the curtain is pulled, and God now sees us, and that is when He starts seeing the good that we do. “Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.” – II Corinthians 3:12-16.
As the disciples heard Jesus they began to wonder, “If this man, who followed all the commandments could not get saved, then who could?” Jesus responds. “When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” – Matthew 19:25-30.
“what shall we have therefore?” Sometimes it seems that serving God and following His will for our lives has no meaning, that we are losing out on so many things because we choose God over the world, we even suffer more because of our faith. The truth is, we do lose out on some things, but we gain so much more, and not just eternal life once we leave here, we do get blessed for our faithfulness. The life I live now, while on paper I do not even make as much money to live on, is more abundant and has more meaning than before Christ was a part of it. The heartache, the pain, the hurt I went through was much worse than what I go through now, and God always takes care of me, whether it is giving me exactly what I need when I need it or protecting me from some crazy drive, He never forsakes me, and He does the same for all His ministers. Hearing all this, James and John want to know if they could sit on each side of Him of His throne in His Kingdom, responds and so do the disciples when they heard them ask such and absurd question.
“But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:38-45.
“but whosoever will be great among you,” Think about the highest ranking people in the world, presidents, kings, queens, prime ministers, while they are certainly there to oversee the rights of the people, they really are servants. The greatest leader is not one who throws their authority around, giving orders and enforcing strict laws, they are those whom serve the people for the greater good. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” – I Peter 5:6-7.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45.
Today’s Prayer: God, I want to live a plain and simple life according to Your plan, watch over me, guide me, and keep the truth in me. Help me to learn and grow in Your Word so I can minister to those who need me. In the end, it is You who I follow to the truth, no one else. Open my heart to be receptive to You and only You, clear my mind of every doubt and fear and fill it with joy and peace only revealed as I yield myself to You. I love You, Lord and ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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