For Jesus' Sake
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
“Delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake” (II Cor. 4:11).
There
is much that we all do for our own sake, for the sake of our children,
our loved ones or others, but the real test of the believer’s love for
the Lord is what he does “for Jesus’ sake.”
Under
the dispensation of Law our Lord told His disciples that to be forgiven
they must forgive: “Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven” (Luke 6:37),
“but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father
forgive your trespasses” (Matt. 6:15).
But now, under the dispensation of grace, He exhorts us to forgive one another “even as God for Christ’s sake hath
forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32). The difference is striking. Before the
cross: If you would be forgiven, forgive. Now, in the light of the
cross: You have been graciously forgiven for Christ’s sake. In the light
of this be tenderhearted and forgiving toward others.
And
we are to go farther than this: Not only are we to forgive our brethren
in Christ, but we are to be prepared to show this attitude toward the
world as well. St. Paul said: “For though I be free from all men, yet
have I made myself servant unto all” (I Cor. 9:19), and referring to his
persecutions by unbelievers, he said: “We… are always delivered unto
death for Jesus’ sake” (II Cor. 4:11). How many unbelievers would be won
to Christ; how many of our Christian friends would be strengthened and
helped, if we adopted this attitude toward others!
As
to suffering itself, the Apostle also gladly bore this “for Jesus’
sake.” In writing to the Corinthians, he said: “I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in
distresses for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong” (II
Cor. 12:10). He had learned that in weakness he leaned the harder,
prayed more, and was brought closer to His Lord, and herein lay his
spiritual strength.SO GREAT SALVATION!{Click}
Les Feldick Ministries
30706 W. Lona Valley Rd.
Kinta, OK 74552
Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
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