Carefulness

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (Mar 13:37)

There are many things that will preoccupy us, especially that which concerns the immediate. Jesus and the early apostles spoke about the Kingdom of God and many died for it, ‘not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection’ (Heb 11:35). If such were preached today there will be many empty pews.

And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. (Mar 4:19)

Jesus didn’t speak against richest but the love of it. How careful am I in keeping myself from deception? The aim of deception is to blind, that God’s Word may not bring life and life that is multiplying. Many things are meant for use, not abusing it (1 Cor 7:21).

Jesus asked us to ‘watch’ for His coming and the final establishment of His Kingdom. This is what we know in the mind, but do we want it in our hearts? There may be unaccomplished dreams and desires that carelessly brush aside eternal matters. Carefully and humbly keep our heart in the right place, but don’t attempt to understand it (Jer 17:9).

Bondservants

Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. (Psa 2:3)

The apostles call themselves bondservants of Jesus Christ, which is to mean there is a voluntary surrender to the Master with unwavering obedience and undying loyalty (Exodus 21:5-6). It is an allegiance that is to Christ alone. From the world’s perspective this seems rather unreal and cruel, but in Christ’s perspective is one that is surrounded and ruled by love.

The heathen (Psa 1:1) is the one that seeks to break free from slavery to God. To have Christ rule over us is to have our lives intruded with His Holiness. To have Christ rule over us is to die to everything is encompasses self. God is not destroying individuals and individualism. Bondservants desire the greater good of their Heavenly Master as well as for their brethren. If we reject the intrusive rule of Christ in all areas of our privacy, we are would be no better than the heathens.