Before our daughter could drive, I took her shopping on numerous occasions for a few things that she needed and a few things that she wanted! Did Justine get everything she desired? Certainly not! This is one of the most important lessons we learn early in life, amen ladies? I'm sure the list is endless of the many things we’d all like to purchase but finances will not allow. As we set out to do our shopping, it doesn't take long for us to realize the things we can't afford! By the way, did you know there are a few things we can't afford as a Christian? Let's put together a little list…
1.) WE CAN'T AFFORD TO BE INDIFFERENT
Mark 15:31 (KJV)
Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the
scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.
We cannot be indifferent to Christ’s sacrifice for us as these chief priests were! In fact, many of those who watched Jesus die on the cross were very callous toward just about everything Christ had said and done. We know that Jesus could have saved Himself if He wanted to, but He endured this suffering because of His great love for us. The Son of God could have chosen not to take the pain and humiliation; He could have killed those who mocked Him - but Jesus suffered through it all because our Savior loved even His enemies. Let's not forget that we had a significant part in the drama that day, because our sins were on the cross too! Yes, Christ died on that cross for US, and the penalty for our sins was paid by HIS death. The only adequate response we can make to such a sacrifice is to confess our sin and freely accept the fact that Jesus paid for it so we wouldn't have to. Therefore, we ought not insult God with indifference toward the greatest act of genuine love in history!
2.) WE CAN'T AFFORD TO BE INDIFFERENT TO THE NEEDS OF OTHERS
Romans 13:10 (KJV)
Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling
of the law.
As Christians having fully enjoyed the sacrificial love of God, we must now follow the law of love, which supersedes both religious and civil laws. How easy it is to excuse our apathy for others merely because we say we have no legal obligation to help them, and even go so far as to justify harming them if our actions are technically legal! Nevertheless, ladies, Jesus does not leave loopholes in the law of love, does He? Whenever love demands it, we are to go beyond human legal requirements and imitate the God of love! You see, the price of a soul going to hell is too high - we can't afford not to love others!
3.) WE CAN'T AFFORD TO BE INDIFFERENT TO THE CAUSE OF CHRIST
Revelation 3:15 (KJV)
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert
cold or hot.
I'm sure you'd all agree with me that lukewarm water makes a disgusting drink. In fact, you can't even tell if you're swallowing it like you could if it were hot or cold! At this time, the church in Laodicea had become lukewarm and was therefore distasteful and repugnant; it was completely ineffective for the Lord. These believers didn’t take a stand for anything, for their indifference had led to their idleness. By neglecting to do even the smallest thing for Christ, the church had become hardened and self-satisfied, and it was destroying itself. I hope that is not a description of you today! There is nothing more nauseating and than a halfhearted, so-called Christian who is self-sufficient and self-centered. Ladies, please don’t settle for following God halfway!! Let's turn up the heat and get serious about living for the Lord! It cost too much to waste what God has spent to purchase us. We can't afford not to work for the One who bought us with His own Son's precious blood!
Now that we have a list of the things we REALLY can't afford it certainly brings things into the proper perspective - an eternal one, amen? Rather than grieving over a worldly list of things we can't find the money for, why don’t we purchase the glory of God in our lives instead! Let's go shopping for the Lord - with the assistance of the Holy Spirit we can afford the excursion! Salvation is still free... Have you told anybody about this great bargain you've discovered?
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
