WORD from the woods
Mark 1:14-20
"Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him."
This is a short passage, but I think it's message is huge. The first thing I want to point out is that when Jesus begins his earthly ministry, he starts by telling people to repent and believe in the gospel. He doesn't come saying that he just wants to love us, don't get me wrong, He does want to love us. Christ loves us more than we can ever comprehend, it's because of this great love that He calls us to repent and believe in the gospel! Christ said to turn to him because the Kingdom of God is at hand. Now, He said this over 2000 years ago, so was Christ mistaken? Not at all! The Kingdom of God was and still is at hand, the day of salvation is now. With everything going on in the world today, we don't know what the future holds, and that makes repentance (or turning to Christ) today so much more important. I think that Christians need to communicate the same message that Christ did in this passage, instead if the popular "Jesus just wants to love on you and give you your best life now message." Jesus does want to love us, but millions of people around the world are facing the reality of trials and tribulation like never before. Christ doesn’t promise deliverance from trials if we follow him, he promises something far greater, He promises deliverance from the curse of sin! Look at Christ's call and the Disciples’ response. Jesus doesn't just want us to trust Him with our death so we can have eternal life in heaven. He wants our life, He wants it now and for eternity! When Jesus Christ called these men, they responded by literally dropping their nets and leaving all they knew and following Him with their whole hearts. Now, I'm not saying that we should all leave our jobs to follow Christ. Many people are called out of their jobs to follow Christ. I truly believe that God has called me to be a logger, but not just a logger, a logger that proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Maybe that’s about to change, I don’t know what will happen with our company in the midst of the economic disaster that the world is facing. What I do know is that God wants multitudes of believers to be the light of the world as they go on day to day, living life. Whatever life looks like to you today, follow Him! What is your response to the call of Christ to repent and believe the His gospel, and follow him in discipleship? I hope that we will all follow Jesus Christ with our whole heart, wherever we are in this life!
God bless and have a great week! -Terry-
Mark 1:14-20
"Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him."
This is a short passage, but I think it's message is huge. The first thing I want to point out is that when Jesus begins his earthly ministry, he starts by telling people to repent and believe in the gospel. He doesn't come saying that he just wants to love us, don't get me wrong, He does want to love us. Christ loves us more than we can ever comprehend, it's because of this great love that He calls us to repent and believe in the gospel! Christ said to turn to him because the Kingdom of God is at hand. Now, He said this over 2000 years ago, so was Christ mistaken? Not at all! The Kingdom of God was and still is at hand, the day of salvation is now. With everything going on in the world today, we don't know what the future holds, and that makes repentance (or turning to Christ) today so much more important. I think that Christians need to communicate the same message that Christ did in this passage, instead if the popular "Jesus just wants to love on you and give you your best life now message." Jesus does want to love us, but millions of people around the world are facing the reality of trials and tribulation like never before. Christ doesn’t promise deliverance from trials if we follow him, he promises something far greater, He promises deliverance from the curse of sin! Look at Christ's call and the Disciples’ response. Jesus doesn't just want us to trust Him with our death so we can have eternal life in heaven. He wants our life, He wants it now and for eternity! When Jesus Christ called these men, they responded by literally dropping their nets and leaving all they knew and following Him with their whole hearts. Now, I'm not saying that we should all leave our jobs to follow Christ. Many people are called out of their jobs to follow Christ. I truly believe that God has called me to be a logger, but not just a logger, a logger that proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Maybe that’s about to change, I don’t know what will happen with our company in the midst of the economic disaster that the world is facing. What I do know is that God wants multitudes of believers to be the light of the world as they go on day to day, living life. Whatever life looks like to you today, follow Him! What is your response to the call of Christ to repent and believe the His gospel, and follow him in discipleship? I hope that we will all follow Jesus Christ with our whole heart, wherever we are in this life!
God bless and have a great week! -Terry-