A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (October 9, 2015)
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (Matthew 13:44)
The parable of the hidden treasure and the goodly pearl follow each other in Matthew 13. The man that found the hidden treasure in a field sold all that he had to buy that field. The merchant that found the pearl of great price sold all that he had to buy that pearl.
I am a very simple individual. What these parables say to me is that we must be sold out if we want to participate in the Kingdom of Heaven. We can’t be wishy-washy with one foot in God’s Kingdom and one foot in the world. We can’t straddle the fence. It just doesn’t work.What does the Book of James tell us about a double-minded man? Let’s review: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8)
A double minded person is by definition unstable, indecisive, a doubter, not loyal, and will receive nothing from God. Have you ever seen a squirrel run out into the road in front of a car. They freeze and then turn back and forth four or five times trying to decide which direction to run. By the time they decide it’s usually too late. That’s why you see so many dead squirrels in the road. It’s no different for us. We have to make a quality decision about the Kingdom of Heaven and the direction we want to go with our life. As some of the street preachers would say, “Turn or Burn”! I know that may sound harsh but in actuality those are the two choices.
Let’s look at what Jesus said about being double minded: And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62). I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16) What happened to Lot’s wife when she looked back? NOT GOOD!!! But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26). What happened to the Jewish people when they started looking back in the exodus from Egypt? NOT GOOD!!!
Paul said it like this: Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)
ARE YOU SOLD OUT????????
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46)
