As A Man

But here’s the problem. I’m an adult. Through the years, I’ve gained knowledge of the world…. How things work… I’ve got responsibilities. I’ve go obligations. My daily life looks a lot different than it did when I was a child. There are times when I wish I was a child again, but then again, maybe not. Not without the knowledge and experience and hopefully wisdom I have gained as I navigated through this life. But in looking back, it sure seems life was simpler than. And when it comes to my relationship with God, isn’t that what He wants. God simply asks me to be obedient to His Word. Why do I make it so complicated?

And perhaps there is the key. I make it complicated.

Let’s look at today’s scripture: Read: 1Cor 13:11

Paul here is taking to the people of Corinth. They were having some problems and acting like children. Worried more about who had the best spiritual gifts. They were spiritual babies, and, like babies, they were striving for the temporary and neglecting the permanent. They wanted passing spiritual gifts instead of lasting Christian character.

They were, in Paul’s opinion, acting like children.

Certainly at least most of us have left behind us childish talk; except of course during a Super Bowl event or some such thing. And in those kinds of situations, the ladies have nothing on the men when it comes to acting silly!

But, for the most part, we are past the childish talk… or are we. What do we call gossip, or talking poorly about someone? Is that not childish?

But this scripture also speaks of thinking like a child and reasoning like a child. But when I became a man, (ladies, insert the word adult here) I put childish ways behind me.

As an adult, we invoke what we consider to be mature thinking and reasoning.

So, here we are as adults talking about surrender; about counting on God to provide for all our needs. It sounds nice. It sounds easy. But “worldly” thinking says no way, that’s not realistic…. Remember our realization of reality!

Jesus knows the ways of satan. Jesus knows how satan wants us to believe we have to help Jesus… he, satan, wants us to believe we need to maintain control of our lives.

Jesus never promises the way of discipleship is easy. He was never shy about telling His disciples, or us, the cost involved.

Listen to these words of Christ:

26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27 and anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14: 26, 27)

This is some tough stuff! I don’t want to hate my father and mother, my wife, or in my own case, my SO, my children, or my brother. And after all, doesn’t Jesus somewhere else say “Honor Thy Mother and Thy Father.” I mean that’s one of the “BIG TEN.”

Of course Jesus doesn’t literally mean to hate your loved ones, but what He demands is that you put your love for Him above and before ALL other loves and desires!

Jesus needs you to understand what it will cost you to enter into this journey. You need to commit your heart totally, completely to Him.