I must confess that there are times when I go through the scriptures and cringe at some of the words of Christ. Like, “Jesus, please reduce your voice. You’re going to offend the Pharisees. The Roman officials are here too. You’ll be misunderstood.” (I hope you just read that in a whisper. Haha).
“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. NO ONE can come to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 NLT (Emphasis are mine)
In this statement and in a lot of others, I do not see tolerance and inclusivity. I see an audaciously exclusive proclamation. I don’t see One who has come to “agree to disagree” nor do I see One who is trying to be politically correct. He’s saying it’s either His way or nothing.
““No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.””
Luke 16:13 NLT
Again, I see exclusivity. But I also see One who is vulnerable. For even as He made His audacious proclamations, He left us with the freedom of choice, being fully aware that being human, and having our own inclinations, we probably would not choose Him.
When I ponder on these, I realize with a jolt, that if I have truly chosen Him, there really are no middle ground, no compromises.
This week, may we keep Him on the throne in our hearts and in our lives. May we daily pick up our crosses and follow Him.
Have a blessed week.
Love,
Laura.