Drastic Choices!
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15.
As a human being I crave acceptance, but as a disciple of Christ I must expect to be misunderstood and at times rejected. I have experienced this many times on my journey with the Lord. I used to get discouraged regarding the pettiness of the body of Christ but I realized that is man’s fallen nature. When Jesus was growing up, He found favor with both God and man. But once baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost He was no longer in favor with his neighbors, kinfolks, or the religious community. When they heard Him preach, they became angry and plotted against Him. (Luke 4:28-29).
The world does not like to be disturbed and unfortunately neither do many in the body of Christ. As a psychologist I have seem time and again that when I begin to touch on the very area of concern people resist. I went from being called a “helper” to someone to be careful of. Like Jesus His Father called Him to preach, teach, and heal the sick spiritually, physically and emotionally. But His very actions of faith were rejected by those He wanted to help.
Like our Master, we as disciples cannot worry about being rejected or even misunderstood. The life of the self-sacrificing disciple is at variance at times and in steep contrast with both the world and the carnal body of Christ. The Lord stated beware when all men speak well of you. (Luke 6:26). If a am too popular I better check my message. Many say to have success you must give them what they want. But we must hang onto the Lord and reach out to the faithful ones who want to hear and obey the truth. As for me, the words Joshua exclaimed to those who were rebellious still ring true today. “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Jesus said that He is “the door”, not one of many doors. The “truth” not many truths. And the “way”, the only way. (John 14:4). To be “hears of the word” is very different then being “doers of the word”. (James 1:22).