WHERE DOES JESUS RANK IN YOUR LIFE? by Stephen Benton

THE PASTOR'S PEN

WHERE DOES JESUS RANK IN YOUR LIFE?

by Stephen Benton

                I take time out in bible class to read some news articles. I share key information with you from the internet because this event commonly called, "the Rapture" is a real event and I am not in the "wait and see" camp.

            When I was in high school I was a shoe salesman in Ohio.  My boss once told me that most people will take more time selecting a pair of shoes than they will to buy a new car.  He was right. The same is true regarding salvation.  I am amazed at how non-committal people can be where their eternal salvation is concerned but how committed they are to the affairs of this world.  I shouldn't be amazed though because Jesus pointed out that same enigma in the parable of the Sower when he mentioned the seed that fell among thorns.

            "He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful."  Matthew 13:22

            Those two elements: the care of this world, and making a living, will cost many who are professing salvation to lose possession of heaven.  The thorny seed dwellers are those who are saved but who become unfruitful.

            I told you about the individual who once worshiped with us but would not make the sacrifice to save himself and his family by driving to Los Angeles at least once a week.  The ironic part of that situation is that this same individual will drive to Los Angeles five days a week to meet the needs of this temporary life but does not see the necessity of making the same trip to meet the needs and requirements of eternity.  There are going to be some sad souls come the day of the rapture.  They think just because they know about the Rapture they are going.  WRONG!  Along with the rapture message came the warning to intensify your attendance in Church and your study of God's word.  God was not joking when he said that.  And anyone who did not and does not take him seriously regarding that matter will fall victim to the strong delusion and the lie, God will guarantee it!

            Christianity and discipleship has always been an issue of completely belonging to Jesus Christ and it is not without its costs.  He said the following:

            "And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned and said unto them,                                                     

 if any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.                                    

 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple."               

Luke 14:25 ,26

            First of all, Jesus is telling us that he must be first and above any and all family relationships.  Too often I hear excused from individuals not being able to attend church because of a family commitment.  That reminds me of another situation Jesus encountered after inviting a man to follow him, the man said that he first had to go bury his father.

            "And he said unto another, Follow me.  But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.                                                                                                                                                                       Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.             And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.                                                                                                                         
 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."   Luke 9:59-62

            Being human, I naturally hurt when I see potential candidates for salvation miss their window of opportunity but my inner man, equipped with spiritual understanding, assures me that such individuals are not fit for the kingdom of God, i.e., God has no use for the partially committed.  He has no use for the individual who cannot recognize and does not desire to meet the full measure that God demands from his disciples.  In both of the situations above the individual said, "Let me first go..."  Too many have the wrong first in their lives.  God is behind first.  Salvation is second to first.  Eternal life is after first.  There have been many occasions when I have invited someone to come to church and after saying "yes," they always had something to do first.  Most of the time they never made it beyond first.
            What's first in your life?  I can tell you this, that which receives most of your time, energy, thought, and money is first.  My use of the word most is not restricted to mere quantity but quality as well.  It's time to destroy these idols in our lives.

            One cannot truly call himself or herself a follower of Christ who lets anything hinder them from the minimal obligation of simply being in attendance at a service where God has promised that where two or three are gathered together in his name, he too, will be there.  Reason would dictate that just that promise alone, the requirement of only two or three necessary for insuring God's own presence in the meeting, would serve as sufficient motivation to be there.  The mindset should be, God doesn't have the necessary number to be there, it won't be because of me.  You must make yourself a committee of one in order to guarantee God's command of not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together and more as we see the day (of the rapture) approaching.  (Hebrews 10:25)

            It's time we ask ourselves, what am I really saying to God when I know He is speaking based on knowing His voice, and I am not hearing or reading?  I think that if I were God, no excuse would be deemed acceptable at this point in time.  Further, if I were God, I'm not sure if I would take someone to heaven to be with me eternally when they could not make the "cares of this world" secondary to Him and the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.  A tithe of hours in a week is at least 16 hours.  Don't be deceived, if you are not meeting with God in his word hearing a message from a true prophet of God, for at least 4 hours a week,  the easiest of responsibilities in this day, you are not giving him at least that much time in private. You cannot be realistic about going to heaven to be in the presence of God forever.  That individual is not fit for the kingdom of God.  The person who puts family relationships before God will eventually get exactly what they have been pursuing here on earth: an eternity with family and friends outside of the presence of the LORD.  God will not be second, he will be first or not at all.  He went on record in the Old Testament by telling us that  his name is JEALOUS, why provoke him? (Exodus 34:14)

Written by Pastor Stephen Benton in

THE WEEKLY WORD OF THE HOUSE OF GOOD NEWS

To read more current revelations from Pastor Steve, check out his book published September of 2017 on Amazon.com

                 https://smile.amazon.com/Gods-Final-Secret-Stephen-Benton/dp/1976338476/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509271792&sr=1-1&keywords=god%27s+final+secret+by+stephen+benton