February 14, 2010
“In these days of easy going Christianity, is it not well to remind ourselves that it really does cost to be a man or woman whom God can use? One cannot obtain a Christlike character for nothing; one cannot do a Christlike work save at a great price.”
--Hudson Taylor
Taylor’s words burn within my soul and resound within my heart as I wholeheartedly agree with his convictions, which he wrote down so many years ago. The truth they held in his time is also the same today as I fear many Believers live halfhearted lives, enamored with the things of this world and willing to delay total commitment to Christ until they are older and have had their fun. Do not delay and wait to serve Christ until you are older; do not fall into such a mentality for surely you will continue to push it off and be ensnared by worldly treasures. Only Christ will satisfy the heart; only Christ will fill the void in our lives.
But do not think you can come to Him halfheartedly and be filled. Do not think you can come into His glorious, awesome presence, bringing the earthly things you so fiercely cling to. God will fill your heart, He will satisfy your soul, He will make you a new creation, but you must come to Him empty and broken. You cannot serve both God and whatever else you are clinging to of this world. If you want true joy, you must turn away from fleshly pleasure. Yes, salvation is free, but it will cost you everything…perhaps such a statement seems contradictory but it is true.
Those who have tasted of the cost can testify to the pain and hardship Believers will face as they follow Christ, but they will also tell you of the incomprehensible joy and delight they receive from following after Christ forsaking all for the sake of His name. You will give up temporary pleasure but gain eternal joy by forsaking all to follow Jesus. To such a life, we have been called, to serve Christ and give up all. We are warriors of the faith…let us not back down from such a noble and glorious calling.
“In these days of easy going Christianity, is it not well to remind ourselves that it really does cost to be a man or woman whom God can use? One cannot obtain a Christlike character for nothing; one cannot do a Christlike work save at a great price.”
--Hudson Taylor
Taylor’s words burn within my soul and resound within my heart as I wholeheartedly agree with his convictions, which he wrote down so many years ago. The truth they held in his time is also the same today as I fear many Believers live halfhearted lives, enamored with the things of this world and willing to delay total commitment to Christ until they are older and have had their fun. Do not delay and wait to serve Christ until you are older; do not fall into such a mentality for surely you will continue to push it off and be ensnared by worldly treasures. Only Christ will satisfy the heart; only Christ will fill the void in our lives.
But do not think you can come to Him halfheartedly and be filled. Do not think you can come into His glorious, awesome presence, bringing the earthly things you so fiercely cling to. God will fill your heart, He will satisfy your soul, He will make you a new creation, but you must come to Him empty and broken. You cannot serve both God and whatever else you are clinging to of this world. If you want true joy, you must turn away from fleshly pleasure. Yes, salvation is free, but it will cost you everything…perhaps such a statement seems contradictory but it is true.
Those who have tasted of the cost can testify to the pain and hardship Believers will face as they follow Christ, but they will also tell you of the incomprehensible joy and delight they receive from following after Christ forsaking all for the sake of His name. You will give up temporary pleasure but gain eternal joy by forsaking all to follow Jesus. To such a life, we have been called, to serve Christ and give up all. We are warriors of the faith…let us not back down from such a noble and glorious calling.
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