"But Jesus called for them, saying, 'Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.'" Luke 18:16-17
By this time, Jesus had become quite famous. Everywhere he went he attracted both detractors and the hopeful. In this case, worried and distraught parents were bringing their children to him to be blessed and healed. Unfortunately, it was Jesus' own disciples that took on the role of security guards (rather than facilitators) when they began to rebuke the parents for presumably wasting the Savior's time. Jesus used this opportunity as an object lesson for all.
Children are so wide eyed as they experience the world. There's is a faith that is so fundamental that they are not even aware of alternative explanations or perspectives. Their entire point of view is a combination of their own experience and what they have been told by loving parents. Based on these two things, they just accept. Watch small children as they interact with others like themselves on the playground or in the play room and you will see love and sharing. It is also at this stage of life when they are the most obedient and have not yet learned to talk back or premeditatedly misbehave. And finally, they are completely dependent upon their parents for everything from the basics of food, water, clothing and shelter to education, health care, affection and love. It is all a little one needs.
Beloved, when Jesus mentions receiving the kingdom of God like a child, he is talking about nothing less than these things. As adults and followers of Christ, we must shed our rebellion and faithlessness and understand that he provides for every one of our needs. We must love the Lord with the nearly blind faith and absoluteness of a child. All other alternatives must seem otherworldly. To do less than this endangers our ability to gain the heaven we all seek. If there is any area in which a grown, hard working, responsible adult should be childish, this is most certainly it.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Showing posts with label Rewards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rewards. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Rewarding Work 6/6/2012
"For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done." Matt 16:27 (NIV)
Who among us does not like to be recognized and rewarded for his or her work? In the business world, reward, recognition and pay are among the top motivators for employee performance. It is the same in the world of sports, music, acting and art. In fact, it is the same for every human endeavor regardless of age, gender, national origin or ethnicity. Naturally there are those who excel in their chosen areas and some who rise to near universal notoriety because of their accomplishments. Conversely, there are many more who accomplish little and receive little.
Beloved it is important for all believers to know that Christianity is not a destination but a pursuit. Having been blessed by the Lord with salvation, one does not at that time sit and wait thinking that he or she has arrived and that Jesus will take care of everything else. He spoke about this frequently, including the familiar passages, "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me" John 5:17, and "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few," Matt 9:37. We are also familiar with the parable of the talents that involved great reward for those who accomplished a return on the Lord's investment while the one who did not was "cast into outer darkness," in verse 30.
No one can interact with the Scriptures and come away with anything less than that there are expectations associated with being a child of God, just as we have expectations of our children. We reward them when they do well. Though we cannot possibly earn the free gift of salvation, rewards, according to the word of the Lord, can be earned. Are you motivated?
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Who among us does not like to be recognized and rewarded for his or her work? In the business world, reward, recognition and pay are among the top motivators for employee performance. It is the same in the world of sports, music, acting and art. In fact, it is the same for every human endeavor regardless of age, gender, national origin or ethnicity. Naturally there are those who excel in their chosen areas and some who rise to near universal notoriety because of their accomplishments. Conversely, there are many more who accomplish little and receive little.
Beloved it is important for all believers to know that Christianity is not a destination but a pursuit. Having been blessed by the Lord with salvation, one does not at that time sit and wait thinking that he or she has arrived and that Jesus will take care of everything else. He spoke about this frequently, including the familiar passages, "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me" John 5:17, and "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few," Matt 9:37. We are also familiar with the parable of the talents that involved great reward for those who accomplished a return on the Lord's investment while the one who did not was "cast into outer darkness," in verse 30.
No one can interact with the Scriptures and come away with anything less than that there are expectations associated with being a child of God, just as we have expectations of our children. We reward them when they do well. Though we cannot possibly earn the free gift of salvation, rewards, according to the word of the Lord, can be earned. Are you motivated?
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
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