“In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” (Luke 17:31-33 KJV).
These passages serve as an encouragement for us to detach from the world and fully trust in the secure shield of our Lord’s divine grace. From today until our Lord Jesus comes, our focus should be entirely on Him. We ought not spend our time on amassing material possessions or worldly accomplishments. It could draw us to "turn back" (like Lot’s wife) to hold onto the old life or worldly treasures. By giving us the imagery of being on the housetop and in the field, the Lord warns against returning and letting our hearts be entangled with worldly offerings. We must not look back, having already left it through our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let’s take lesson out of Lot’s wife. She was a picture of someone who was physically removed from judgment (having gone out of Sodom) but her heart was still in it. She was "saved" but lost her life because she looked back with longing at the tempting city life. She represents someone who has clingy attachment to the world, rather than looking forward to life in grace.
To "lose your life" is giving up trying to manage your own life. It calls for surrendering your whole being to God’s grace by faith in Christ Jesus. Trying to "save your life" is relying on your own strength to work hard to earn merit before God. To truly save it, for both your now life and eternal life, comes from abandoning self-effort and relying entirely on the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ, resting in His grace. It is, therefore, our call to trust that the Lord is our refuge, while the world around us faces tribulation. Hence, we affirm and declare: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah” (Psalm 46:1-3 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
No comments:
Post a Comment