Following and Serving Jesus -Losses vs. Gains
A few weeks back I taught a Bible study dealing with Saul (who later became Paul) and his conversion to faith in Jesus.(Acts 9:3-16) I know he was actually confronted by Jesus on the road to Damascus, but, truth is, you and I were confronted by Jesus. It may not have been on the road to Damascus or any road, at all.
We were headed somewhere to do something when God’s call came to us. We miraculously, and I do mean miraculously, recognized our sin and our need for forgiveness from God. We needed mercy because we were sinners headed in the wrong direction. But God, who is rich in mercy, called us to repentance and faith. Some of us came alongside Jesus thinking we were going to lose so much. We believed a lie, didn’t we? Saul lived out the lies he believed and persecuted the early church known as people of “The Way”. He lost several things after his conversion, even his life eventually; but Paul gained so much more than he lost!
In actual, real time we have gained so much more than we lost. After all, Jesus said himself in Matthew 19:29 – And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life
Did you get that? Our life will not only be better here but also hereafter. I am aware of persecutions happening in parts of our world to this day. I can’t speak for those Christians who follow Christ in the face of physical pain; but I can tell you based on the stories over centuries and from around the world that those believers who’ve suffered at the hands of haters have counted it an honor to suffer and even to die for the cause of Jesus Christ. Jesus doesn’t ask us to do more than He has already done in the ways of pain and rejection.
But for those of us who’ve suffered other kinds of rejection, ridicule, and loss for standing up for Jesus, may I dare to venture a conclusion: It was worth it. When Carol and I left a well-paying, benefit-rich position 14 years ago, many thought we were crazy. We have come close to that conclusion ourselves a time or two along the way. But look at what we have gained:
a). Met, befriended, enjoyed deep fellowship with 100’s of “brothers and sisters in Christ”.
b.) Stayed, lived, and visited in scores of homes.
c.) Traveled to many countries to serve with strong, godly leaders in those countries and in the USA.
d.) Received thousands of dollars in donations that God has used to help us reach 100’s and perhaps 1000’s of couples and families.
e.) Even without a set salary or covered benefits, God has kept His word supplying all our needs according to His riches in glory. (Phil. 4:19) We still eat and live indoors.
f.) Blessed our family with a legacy of love and continued ministry and a happy family life. (3 John 4)
g.) Healed us of many illnesses along the way – not perfect health but His blessings are evident.
I really could go on but let me tell you what I gave up:
a.) I much larger salary.
b.) Security of benefits paid for by someone else.
c.) I bigger home in a nicer neighborhood.
d.) Security of a larger retirement account.
e.) Travel for vacations versus travel for ministry.
f. ) More stuff even though our storage room is full of stuff.
g. ) Eat our more often and at better restaurants.
This is the conclusion I am trying to reinforce today: What I could have gained, I count as loss for the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ and the blessings He has given from His riches in glory.
If you think I am bragging about our faith, you’d be wrong. I am bragging on my Savior and the grace He extends to me and mine.
I am a blessed man wanting to introduce others to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that more may receive His blessings in this life and eternal life with Him forever. Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe.