Others may do as they please, I must not do what my fallen nature suggests lest I be drowned - I must do as He pleases. Why should I call Him Lord, Lord and not do what He wants? Others may deceive to receive a blessing from man; my heart is fixed on receiving from God before whom all liars are cast away into eternal burning. Others may follow multitudes to do evil what is that to me? If I must go to heaven my company has to be few for few there be that find the way of life. Though it’s not always easy to be in the minority, the same God who helped Noah to stand told me “His grace is sufficient for me”. The temptations are there, to eat like others, dress like others, live like others but these others who have no cross to bear are not a pattern for me. We cannot keep the same pace – I have a goal, which they know nothing about.
Others may serve some other gods – some serve their flesh, some careers, some money, some faithfully serve women, some are loyal servants of men, some bow to the god of fashion. I cannot – my God is in Heaven, these gods are in this passing world. I am born to burn for God. I neither will bend nor bow to any other god no matter how popular with others. Others may call the name of God in vain, call Jesus in such an insulting familiar way, my God is precious to me, and my Jesus is high enough to be worshipped. He is great enough to be Saviour. Others may work seven days in the week, to provide adequately for this life. I have to remember my Lord and Home on the Lord’s day. Others have no hope beyond this world and it is no wonder they need to do and have their best here, I have a hope beyond today, a home beyond the stars, a life in the great beyond. Eternal things are real enough for me to give a whole day out of seven.
Others may lay up for themselves treasures in banks, they must prepare for rainy days. I cannot lay up here for where my treasure is, there, Jesus told me my heart will be. If I am not wise, my heart will be locked up in a safe deposit box and would miss the coming glory. You may do as you please; I cannot serve God and mammon. Others may fret and worry over material things and excuse themselves for so doing. Others may kill themselves in their pursuit for a place or position in life. Others may destroy themselves by anxiety over riches and success in life. “Come, my soul, enter thou into my chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.” Yea, why all this madness over dust, dung and dross? Oh, when shall it be when the voice of God shall call me home? I am sick at seeing multitudes of believers remember money and material things more than they remember my glorified Christ. I will soon depart this Chaos to a place of rest. Others may have their hearts and heads on earth; my feet are on earth, my head is up, and my heart is in heaven, Lord, thou knowest. Others may; I must not, I will not, I cannot.
Others may seek after all these things before ever thinking of seeking after God earnestly. They never find what they seek, their flesh is never satisfied with pleasure. But even if they found them, I must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. If I must keep my vision of eternity, maintain God’s holy fire burning in my bosom, retain His passion for souls and love for Him, I cannot seek or desire the world or any of the things in the world. Others of my colleagues sought after these things, now their hearts are dulled, their conscience seared, their eyes blinded by the god of this world, theirs, should teach me the lesson, I cannot seek or desire the world though others do. Others may scoff at the sound doctrines of the Bible and allow little sins, but I cannot. The buildings that are demolished were not pulled down by elephants; they were destroyed by termites. Unless I am cleansed from evil thoughts, ill-temper, anger, envy, lust, jealousy, pride, laziness, and idleness, over-eating and backbiting, I won’t count myself as free from sin. Others may testify to being born-again and converted and still be conscious of all these in their lives. But what is that to me? I am called to follow Christ; looking on Him, I loose sight of all other examples. Jesus - my mirror, my pattern, my example.
Others may be loved by their unbelieving relatives. I will not deny the faith to obtain favour of men. My Lord did not make a mistake when He told me: “a man’s foes shall be they of his own household”. Others may compromise and let down or lower the standard a little so as to save their lives from ridicule or persecution, I cannot. His word is ever too fresh in my heart: “Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” When He said whosoever, He was solemnly warning me. “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you: for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” If I live, as my Lord desires, I will receive enough persecution, ridicule, reviling, false accusation, as to put a weight of glory on me up above. Others can laugh now while I walk along the way of the Cross. He that laughs last laughs best.
Others may serve some other gods – some serve their flesh, some careers, some money, some faithfully serve women, some are loyal servants of men, some bow to the god of fashion. I cannot – my God is in Heaven, these gods are in this passing world. I am born to burn for God. I neither will bend nor bow to any other god no matter how popular with others. Others may call the name of God in vain, call Jesus in such an insulting familiar way, my God is precious to me, and my Jesus is high enough to be worshipped. He is great enough to be Saviour. Others may work seven days in the week, to provide adequately for this life. I have to remember my Lord and Home on the Lord’s day. Others have no hope beyond this world and it is no wonder they need to do and have their best here, I have a hope beyond today, a home beyond the stars, a life in the great beyond. Eternal things are real enough for me to give a whole day out of seven.
Others may lay up for themselves treasures in banks, they must prepare for rainy days. I cannot lay up here for where my treasure is, there, Jesus told me my heart will be. If I am not wise, my heart will be locked up in a safe deposit box and would miss the coming glory. You may do as you please; I cannot serve God and mammon. Others may fret and worry over material things and excuse themselves for so doing. Others may kill themselves in their pursuit for a place or position in life. Others may destroy themselves by anxiety over riches and success in life. “Come, my soul, enter thou into my chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.” Yea, why all this madness over dust, dung and dross? Oh, when shall it be when the voice of God shall call me home? I am sick at seeing multitudes of believers remember money and material things more than they remember my glorified Christ. I will soon depart this Chaos to a place of rest. Others may have their hearts and heads on earth; my feet are on earth, my head is up, and my heart is in heaven, Lord, thou knowest. Others may; I must not, I will not, I cannot.
Others may seek after all these things before ever thinking of seeking after God earnestly. They never find what they seek, their flesh is never satisfied with pleasure. But even if they found them, I must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. If I must keep my vision of eternity, maintain God’s holy fire burning in my bosom, retain His passion for souls and love for Him, I cannot seek or desire the world or any of the things in the world. Others of my colleagues sought after these things, now their hearts are dulled, their conscience seared, their eyes blinded by the god of this world, theirs, should teach me the lesson, I cannot seek or desire the world though others do. Others may scoff at the sound doctrines of the Bible and allow little sins, but I cannot. The buildings that are demolished were not pulled down by elephants; they were destroyed by termites. Unless I am cleansed from evil thoughts, ill-temper, anger, envy, lust, jealousy, pride, laziness, and idleness, over-eating and backbiting, I won’t count myself as free from sin. Others may testify to being born-again and converted and still be conscious of all these in their lives. But what is that to me? I am called to follow Christ; looking on Him, I loose sight of all other examples. Jesus - my mirror, my pattern, my example.
Others may be loved by their unbelieving relatives. I will not deny the faith to obtain favour of men. My Lord did not make a mistake when He told me: “a man’s foes shall be they of his own household”. Others may compromise and let down or lower the standard a little so as to save their lives from ridicule or persecution, I cannot. His word is ever too fresh in my heart: “Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” When He said whosoever, He was solemnly warning me. “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you: for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” If I live, as my Lord desires, I will receive enough persecution, ridicule, reviling, false accusation, as to put a weight of glory on me up above. Others can laugh now while I walk along the way of the Cross. He that laughs last laughs best.
By Deeper Christian Life Ministry
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