Read Matthew 23:15
Becoming A Son Of Hell. Is That Your Goal?
Jesus’s third Woe: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel about on sea and land to win a single convert, and when you do, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.”
How would you like this verse on your resume if you are interviewing for an evangelistic position in the church? These are one of Jesus’s harshest words to the religious leaders. But if you’re going to live a hypocritical life, you’re headed in the wrong direction: not heaven, but hell.
I commend the religious leaders for their prestigious position and their pursuit to reach converts for the Lord. What is disheartening, is their pursuit to teach man’s laws versus God’s laws. Plus, they role model a life of being recognized rather than pointing people to Jesus. Preaching God’s truth was far from their lips and their lifestyle.
I feel like deep down inside we all want to be “successful” or have a “prestigious” position. As for me, I have dreamed of becoming a great speaker for the Lord. I would love to speak and reach thousands of people. But at what cost am I willing to do this?
For example, let’s say I get two offers to speak. Option #1: I’m asked to speak at a youth retreat with 100 kids and the theme is “How to live out God’s Word in a godless culture.” The pay is $250.
Option #2: speak before a crowd of 5,000 youth and the theme is “Loving God and Loving Others.” But the criteria is, Don’t preach anything against any type of sexual sin but rather embrace their freedom to choose how they want to live out their sexual lives. The pay is $3,000. Which option do I choose? I’ve always wanted to speak before thousands of people, plus I can be blessed financially, Praise The Lord! So do I choose option #2? NO!!!!! Whatever dreams you have remember:
1. Pursue God’s dreams and vision for his glory and not your own.
2. Never make it about yourself. Always point people to Jesus.
3. Never compromise God’s Word.
Let’s give another example. You want to join a sport. Let’s say, basketball. You want to be great at basketball. You want to be accepted and even looked up to. These are great admirations, but at what cost? You feel compelled to swear like everyone else. Tell dirty jokes like everyone else. Brag about “How far you went” with a girl or boy you dated. You feel compelled to show favoritism for the more popular players. So you went from wanting something prestigious, where you could be a light for Christ in a dark world, to becoming a conformist to the dark World and becoming a “son of hell.”
Let’s do this right. Let’s start over: Dear Lord, show me your vision from my life. Open doors so I can live out the truth of Christ and be your light in a dark world. Help me bring glory to your name and not my own. Amen!
