Today’s exhortation – But I Love them!
I believe the following story will bring us a fresh outlook as to why we tell people the good news of Jesus Christ. One day, a preacher who had spent many years telling people about Jesus became frustrated, so he talked to Jesus about it. He told Him he was frustrated with people who knew about God but refused to change their ways. They didn’t really care much for holiness and living right and were quite happy in their sin. In his opinion, they weren’t worth the trouble. He had, had enough! The Lord responded…
“Yes, you are right!” The heathen are lost and they’re going to go to hell not because they haven’t heard the gospel. They’re going to go to hell because they are sinners who love their sin and because they deserve to go to hell. But… I didn’t send you out there for them: I didn’t send you out there for their sakes.” “I didn’t send you out there for the heathen, I sent you out there for MY sake. They deserved hell, BUT I LOVE THEM. And I endured the agonies of hell for them. I didn’t send you out there for them, I sent you out there for ME!” “Do I not deserve the reward of MY suffering? Don’t I deserve those for whom I died?” The bible says,… “Those who work deserve their pay!” (1 Timothy 5:18).
What about Jesus? Does He not deserve His reward? May The Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering. Amen
Francis Hans-Jorie