“The Beloved”
There were twelve (12) disciples who walked, talked and fellowshipped with Jesus for three years before He went to the Cross. I thought about how they were handpicked by the Lord. There was only one, John, who was called, “the beloved” by our Lord.
It seems that our focus in the Body of Christ today is about material goods, especially the money end of it. I wonder how many of God’s children are just saying, “Lord, I would just like for you to appear to me so I could place my head on your breast and love you.” How many do you suppose would only want that and nothing else in return?
Then there was Judas who sold out the Lord for money. How many do you suppose are doing that, saying and pretending that they are walking with the Lord?
Are you always looking for a return on your tithe or offering or do you give God money out of just sheer obedience? Are you always looking for a handout from heaven? Make no mistake…we deserve nothing. Our thinking has become twisted and carnal and we are off the mark of the high calling in Christ.
Remember Cain and Able? Able gave the first fruits with a loving heart and not because he expected to gain something. Conversely, Cain gave God, well; I call it “sloppy seconds.” It is time for you to check yourself and see where your true allegiance lies.
In the days in which we live many are crying out for help because of the hard times they are experiencing, but God promises that those who are really trying to follow Him with a pure heart and motive will be taken care of …they are called, according to King David (a man after God’s own heart), the righteous.
God is so much more than people are trying to achieve. He is bigger than enlarging a building, implementing the latest and newest program, and keeping a count of the number of bodies that have warmed the pews in your sanctuary on Sunday. He deserves our love. When Jesus Christ comes ( Matthew 25:31-46 is worth your reading) to divide the goats from the sheep, which side will you be on? Will He in fact call you His beloved?
