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WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Updated: Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Who Is Ruling?
This parable is a reference to when Jesus "..came unto His and His own received him not." -John 1:11. As we consider the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, we are often quick to judge the Jews and the religious leaders of that day. When Pilate offered to free Jesus in John 19:14-15, the chief priests replied, "..we have no king but Caesar."
I wonder how it is in our lives today? Are we also guilty of accepting salvation BUT rejecting His rulership? Who has the rule in your life? I think we somehow forget that when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour it involves much more that just "a ticket out of hell". "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Corth. 6:19-20 We become the temple of the Holy Spirit, we become God’s possession. Have you ever considered, when we lead our lives the way we want to, often not even considering what God wants or what His word says, what we are really doing?!
Let’s say I take a sewing machine that belongs to my best friend. I begin to use it for what ever I please, without consulting with my friend. When I try sewing material with the wrong needle and use the wrong kind of thread, resulting in a broken needle, knotted bobbin thread, and even a burned-out motor, I expect my friend to fix it. I don’t bother reading the instruction book, since it may not allow me to do with the machine what I would like. I complain when the machine malfunctions and whine that it doesn't give me the joy I anticipated. When anything goes wrong or the project I have been working on doesn't turn out, I blame my friend. However, the truth is, I haven’t bothered to ask my friends permission or guidance in using the machine. What is wrong with this picture?
First of all, it was not my machine to use in whatever way I choose. Our life is not ours to use in pursuing whatever we want to do with it. No wonder we get into all sorts of difficulties, and sorrows, when we don’t ask His guidance, nor do we really pay any attention to what His "instruction book" tells us. Have you noticed how quickly we complain to the Lord that situations are just not fair, and we accuse Him of not really loving us or caring about us? Are we not acting just like the illustration with the sewing machine? Is this allowing God to rule in our lives? Are we not with our actions, saying as the priests did, that we will not have Jesus Christ to be our King?
Jesus loves the Father and He was willing to be the supreme sacrifice for each of us. He endured a horrible death, but HE IS ALIVE TODAY!!! We have a risen, living, holy, righteous mighty Lord and Saviour that is worthy and deserves to be Lord of our lives. Perhaps one of the reasons we get our lives into such messes and have such emotionally struggles with anger, fear, worry, doubt, discouragement and depression, is because we allow the wrong person to be on the throne of our lives. Take a good honest look at yourself. If God is not ruling in the life He has purchased with His blood, then it is time to get on your knees, repent and yield to Him. May His resurrected life fill each of you with joy and praise for His holy name.
"Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen."1 Timothy 1:17
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- Sandy Hastings |
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