Near 'bout the worst thing I can imagine...
Some people clearly see God is, and many come
to understand the necessity of Jesus. Many even see His saving power -- His
exclusivity in all things pertaining to salvation. Many come to understand
these things, and still refuse to surrender to God in Christ Jesus.
To me, just about the worst reason a person
could give for not following Jesus is the fear of man. Still, it's real. Some
people are sick of their guilt. Some are inspired by the Savior. Some are
longing for more than they are. Some want a dynamic life. Some want deliverance
from habits and strongholds. Some see the crowd they run with and want
themselves and that crowd to change.
But, they don't...
Many settle for the familiar blanket of man's
approval and miss Jesus. And, they know it. They know they are afraid to lose
friends, or be left out or ridiculed. Many hate their "normal" but
hate the idea of a new normal worse.
This is nothing new!
"Nevertheless, many even of the
authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess
it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the
glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God." (John
12:42-43 ESV)
Do you see that? Many people believed on
Jesus, but "they did not confess it..." They were afraid they would
be "...put out of the synagogue..." Many people "...loved the
glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God."
What are YOU afraid to be put out of?
What trinket...what trump or tramp or group or
junk...what bauble are you keeping for fear of losing it AND all the while
losing Christ?
What habit or hobby holds you from following
Jesus?
What people's opinion do you find divine in
the place of God's presence?
Near 'bout the worst thing I can imagine is
ANYONE or ANYTHING stop a person from knowing God in Christ Jesus.
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