First Has Its Benefits
Living the Life – Part 2

Scripture Reading:  Hebrews 11:24-28

Key Verse:  Hebrews 11:25

He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.

Continuing yesterday’s theme, imagine being asked to present the Gospel to the world’s richest people—all of the multi millionaires.  What approach would you take?  Would you try to tell them how bad their lives are without Jesus?  Should you try to paint a picture of how much better life would be for them if they came to Jesus?

            If we take the approach of how great this life is when we live for Jesus, we need to be careful to leave out the beatings and imprisonment of the Apostle Paul.  Also, don’t mention that all the disciples died a martyr’s death because of their faith in Jesus.  We had better skip the fact that Jesus’ favorite disciple, John the Beloved, died alone on the Island of Patmos because of his faith.

            I think you are getting the point.  We can’t honestly tell people that this life is going to get better when they serve Jesus.  It may not!  This world is not our home, we are just passing through.  We can tell them that they will have peace and inner joy in spite of hardships!  We can tell them that the place of second pays great dividends in eternity.  But in this life, first has its benefits.  First feels good to us.  Sin is pleasurable, even though it will turn on us in the end.  First has its benefits.

Father, I will need your strength to choose second over first; to choose your ways over the ways of the world.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.