Hang-ups?

V23 n7

A person seldom gives much thought to all of the things that ties or binds one to the cares or concerns of this world, and all things that pertain to it. In other words, things that might keep one in bondage, or a prisoner of this fleshly world or realm. There are many more things that hold a person in bondage to this present world, then what most people are willing to admit. How much is there in your life, that yet holds you captive or in bondage to this present evil world?

Luke 9:57-58, 57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. KJV

Many, when confronted with the Gospel and it’s message, think they are ever so quick to hear and respond to it, just as the person described by Luke in the above verses. One is quick to respond and tell the Lord that they are His, and will follow, go, and do whatever they may be asked. The heart of man does have a yearning for the deep things of God. The flesh on the other hand, is only concerned with self, and self preservation. This person was quick to want to tell the Lord that he would follow Him, until he came to understand the lack of earthly or physical possessions that the Lord had. Do you think this person continued with the Lord, or merely provided lip service?

It is not improbable that this man had seen the miracles of Jesus, and had formed an expectation that by following him he would obtain some considerable worldly advantage. Christ, in reply to his professed purpose to follow him, proclaimed his own poverty, and dashed the hopes of the avaricious scribe. The very foxes and birds, says he, have places of repose and shelter, but the Son of man has no home and no pillow. He is a stranger in his own world-- a wanderer and an outcast from the homes of people. (from Barnes' Notes)

Luke 9:59-60, 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. KJV

Many, are quick to respond to the Lord, that they will follow Him, and do all that Father may ask of them. However, most are then just as quick to find an excuse or reason, which will prevent them from doing that which is asked, when they begin to understand all that is required of a servant. The list of excuses or reasons are to innumerable to mention them all, however as we can see, the Lord gives us a few; whether it be someone ailing or near death, or who may have just died. It is at this point that one has to decide or determine who or what has the most influence and control in and on their life. Who or what is controlling your life, and the decisions and choices that you are making?

Many do want to associate or talk with the dead or the dying. (And we are referring to both physically and spiritually here.) For two can not walk together unless they are in agreement. Will communications with the dead bring about and nurture new life in Christ? One often forgets how much leaven that it takes to affect, effect, and infect the whole of the lump.

Matthew 10:36-38, 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. KJV

To the flesh, these words seem harsh, uncompassionate, as well as quite overwhelming. The fact is though, where exactly is our focus? What is it that we have attached our heart and emotions to? One has to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then that which we have need of will be added unto us. So what is it that you have placed or prioritized before God? What could possibly be of more importance than a person personal relationship with Father by and through Christ Jesus?

Luke 9:61-62, 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. KJV

The devil is always trying to take people for strolls down memory lane. The devil wants to give a person all kinds of reason and excuses for looking back. Often times a person will wonder what they may have left behind, just as Lot’s wife did. Another person may wonder who has stepped in and filled their place; whether it be in family, job or social group or gatherings. Family ties or inheritances can also blind ones vision and focus, rather then one staying dependent in and on God and His Word. (Phil 4:19)

One seldom gives thought to all that Jesus Christ left behind, both physically as well as spiritually, and the love and obedience that He showed to all that Father asked of Him. Most only focus on their wants and desires, by how they hear and perceive what they “think” the Word says. Few are satisfied with that which they have need of, and so are seldom content with that which Father provides. God said that He would supply all of your need; can you be content with that, or do you have other expectations?

Many are just as the person described here by Luke; “Lord, I will serve you, but!” They are so busy looking back at what “they think” they may have missed out on, that they stumble and fall from the strait and narrow path. They are so busy challenging Him and His authority on that which He has asked them not to do, because they are not able to see the hurt and destruction associated with these wants of theirs. They only see the fun that they think others are having at the present time. The god of this world has blinded their minds from seeing the truth and spiritual reality of His Word. Thus they try to weigh and justify everything by that which is contained within the physical realm.

Romans 8:7 Abandonment to earthly things is a state of enmity to God. Such a mind does not submit to God's Law, and indeed cannot do so. 8 And those whose hearts are absorbed in earthly things cannot please God. (Weymouth)

But our Lord, seeing that this person had too much attachment to the earth, and that his return to worldly employments, though for a short time, was likely to become the means of stifling the good desires which he now felt, refused to grant him that permission. That which we object to the execution of God's designs is sometimes the very thing from which we should immediately disengage ourselves. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

Many, are as Luke describes, “Lord, what have you done for me lately?” Is this your attitude with God? Do you judge your relationship with Him, by the physical things that you have acquired, or yet may acquire here on this earth? What physical possessions had Jesus Christ acquired or accumulated by the time that He had departed from this earth? Likewise, what had Paul accumulated or acquired by the time that He departed this earth? Aren’t we supposed to be followers of Christ? (2Cor 2:17 We are; for, unlike most teachers, we are not fraudulent hucksters of God's Message; but with transparent motives, as commissioned by God, in God's presence and in communion with Christ, so we speak. Weymouth)

Luke 12:15, And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. KJV

Matthew 13:54-57, 54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? 57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. KJV

Most, (though few will readily admit it), are offended by God and His Word; as well as often times the messenger He may use to deliver the message through. One will find all kinds of reasons and excuses to ignore or disregard the message as well as the messenger, (just as they did with Jesus Christ), because of their disagreement with the contents of the message. Jesus Christ had no flaws or faults for them to refute or dismiss the message that He brought forth from Father.Yet, in their own minds they justified themselves, and thus rejected His message, and eventually even disposed of Him.

CONSIDERING the life of mortification and self-denial which Christ and his disciples led, it is surprising to find that anyone should voluntarily offer to be his disciple. But there is such an attractive influence in truth, and such a persuasive eloquence in the consistent steady conduct of a righteous man, that the first must have admirers, and the latter, imitators. Christianity, as it is generally exhibited, has little attractive in it; and it is no wonder that the cross of Christ is not prized, as the blessings of it are not known; and they can be known and exhibited by him only who follows Christ fully. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

What hang-ups do you have, that prevent you from hearing God’s plan of reconciliation for you? What excuses or hang-ups have you developed, that allows you to continue to live and act the way that you do?

That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ.

Larry Gazelka