CAN I EVER GET OVER THIS?

It has always intrigued me. How Jesus left the glory and comfort of heaven for a life of suffering and death so that I might be redeemed. This is beyond imagination in a world in which people are always dreaming of more wealth, more comfort and more glory. Now, to make matters even more intriguing, Peter by inspiration of Holy Spirit wrote in 1 Peter 2:21-23 (NKJV)  “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously”.

Am I really supposed to imitate Jesus in these things? Am I ready to give up any legitimate thing so I can accomplish for God something of eternal significance? Which wealth, comfort or glory can I readily lay down? Even if I give up any of these things, is it anything compared to what Christ had to give up for me? It is often easier to give up what is not worth much than to give up what is considered a fortune. This was the difficulty the rich young ruler faced when Jesus asked him to sell all that he has and give to the poor and come and follow Him. The Bible says in Matthew 19:22 (NKJV)  “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions”.

As I ponder these things, my heart adores my Lord Jesus Christ for His great sacrificial love for me. I don’t need any other reason to be thankful to Him for the rest of my life. I know that He will give me many good things and I will witness His faithfulness in many more ways but every other thing pales in significance when compared to what He did on the cross. The words of the hymn is right on target when it says “There is no other argument, there is no other plea, it is enough that Jesus died and that He died for me”.

In the Old Testament, Habakkuk declared his commitment to joy in the Lord even when there seems to be no reason to do so. He said it so eloquently with these famous words “Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls—Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation" Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NKJV). However, in the New Testament we never lack a reason for thanksgiving. The fact that Jesus left all in order to die and rise again for our redemption is the greatest reason for thanksgiving. Paul wrote "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again" 2Co 5:14-15 (NIV).

Thank you Lord Jesus for giving up everything for me. You did for me what the rich young ruler could not do for the poor of his time. Even I, have not been able to do it as I should with consistency yet you did it for me.

THANK YOU LORD FOR YOU LOVED ME AND LEFT ALL TO DIE FOR ME SO THAT I MIGHT HAVE YOUR LIFE.

I PLEDGE MY ALLEGIANCE TO THE LAMB OF GOD THAT TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD 

Written by Ifiok Ukobo

Think Right and Live Right Club & Lifebuilders Resource