Sometimes, we, in America, think that prosperity develops when we have abundant stuff, and wealth to show for. The reality of the Gospel shows us something rather different. As Christ went to the cross, he showed no sign of a triumphant King. On the contrary, he went up gushing in blood, sweating feverishly in tears, and broken-hearted. Up he went on to Calvary. Why? To make way for his bride, a perfectly, adorned in pure white, Church. I'm sure men were looking at him as a loser. But, God kept seeing him as His beloved, obedient even unto death. Victorious in His sight. Two perspectives, opposite of each other, proving one more time that our thoughts isn't His.
2 Corinthians 8:9 New International Version (NIV)
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake
he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
This is the Christ we need to worship. The fact that he became poor so that we can be rich doesn't refer to the value of "wealth". It's way more than that if you analyze the depth of His glory and the infinity of Heaven, the saints' final destination. It's a richness that surpasses all understanding. A richness that gains you a desire for Jesus so much, everything else becomes meaningless. Like in the parable of the hidden treasure (Mat. 13), a man finds this treasure hidden in the field, and out of his joy, he sells everything to buy this field with the treasure (i.e. Jesus).
We are rich! Rich in spirit. And nothing...not even a hint of goodness that we can claim we did, can make us an ounce richer because Jesus paid it all!!
So, what I'm saying is that the road of obeying God, may not always be a wealthy, comfy and air-conditioned road. A sacrifice has to be made. And we are to live like a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the nostrils of God...a very sweet aroma. No one likes the smell of dung...for sure.
No comments:
Post a Comment