Today I am reflecting on my life on this 28th day of October, turning fifty-four. It was on October 28, 1949 … six years before I was born (10-28-55) Jim Elliot penned in his journal the following words …
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
In the shadow of those words would come his death seven years later as he and other men would die attempting to take the Gospel message to the Auca’s in Ecuador. Some called it a tragic death and senseless … however the transmission of the Gospel did reach and lives were not tragically lost for eternity.
How do we dare to live? As fools for Christ (1 Cor 4:10) or fools like the world who deny God in our living? To be so set apart in our living for Christ is not merely a goal of mine or yours, but it is the call of God upon every soul who has humbled themselves in the call of salvation to call Him Savior and Lord. In the face of everyday living am I living for Christ, or is the selfish flesh consuming me? With astounding divine words Peter says to a life of suffering we are called to … not merely the injustices of sinful man as they are plenty, but the injustices and sufferings of living a well-known life for Him.
1 Peter 2:21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps.
And without any masquerade Peter offers the steps that you and I as the born-again called of Christ are to walk “In His Steps” (1 Peter 2:22-23) …
- In His Steps … commit no sin.
- In His Steps … let your words be of truth not deceit.
- In His Steps … Don’t return insult when insulted.
- In His Steps … Don’t try to get back when someone hurts you.
- In His Steps … Continually give trust God with your life.
How do I dare to live today? With carping complaining about how I am treated or not treated? Or will I live giving up my life for His to be lived in me? Ah, it is so true that you and I have been called to follow Him who suffered and died for the sins of us all. We live in world that would see such living as foolish, maybe even tragic, but let them think what they will, for we the born-again know … “He is not fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” So I reflect and pray … let me follow in His steps today.
Mark 8:36-38 (NKJV) “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 “Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Peace & Glorify~
