... a weekly letter of encouragement.
8 April, 1998 - Singapore
Good Morning!
THE SOLITARY LIFE OF A DISCIPLE
The path of the serious disciple is a lonely one indeed.
in the past couple of weeks, three professed believers have indicated
to me that for various reasons they are choosing not
to pursue a thoughtful commitment to follow Jesus Christ:
- For one it has to do with the crushing pressure of getting a new business up and running.
- Another, it seems is seduced by the pleasure his newly acquired affluence now affords him.
- And a third honestly admitted to me that applying Biblical ethics to the operation of his business would prove his financial undoing.
Why should I be surprised or chagrined, as the life of
the serious disciple has always been a lonely one:
- Jesus faced the prospect of the cross alone.
"Then Jesus went with his disciples
to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here
while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two
sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and
troubled...He fell with his face to the ground and prayed...Then
he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. 'Could you
men not keep watch with me for one hour?' he asked...?" (Matthew
26:36-39)
- Paul faced the trial for his life alone.
"At my first defense, no one came
to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against
them." (2 Timothy 4:16)
Over a period of time, as the Holy Spirit
puts His finger on various issues in our lives,
we are faced with the choice of obedience, or of going our own
stubborn way.
The more we obey, the greater will be the
sense of alienation from the vast bulk of fellow-believers who
have long since chosen the easier path of compromise.
During one of Jesus' critical interactions
with His followers,"...many of his disciples turned
back and no longer followed him. 'You do not want to leave too,
do you?' Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord,
to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.'"
(John 6:66-68)
QUESTION: Are
you prepared to walk the passage of obedience alone
with Jesus - at whatever the cost
- while most fellow-believers are surrendering to the world's
seductive forces? I am sure you are!
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
1 Coleman Street #02-34, The Adelphi - Singapore 0617
Phone: 337 6498; Fax: 336 9913
© Copyright 1996 Dwight Hill. Unlimited permission to copy or
use is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
