A man once had the choice of a life of luxury, or of unspeakable hardship. The choice would seem fairly obvious, wouldn't it? But, when faith is the key factor, it always chooses the challenge.
"By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward." (Hebrews 11.24-26)
Moses, the man of privilege, forsook his status and followed his Father's leading. The choice is well summarized in these words: "choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin". This is the basic choice we all face: indulge in personal pleasure, or share in the unjust treatment of the people of God. To stand strong with the people of God is to face opposition from the system of the world, which is set in radical opposition.
It is interesting that Moses, having lived many years prior to the coming of Jesus, considered "the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt". As a man of faith, with keen insight into God's plan, saw in advance the suffering Messiah. In faith, he chose to cast his lot with the Christ he had never met.
Living two thousands years past the time of Christ, we face the same challenge. Faith leads us to forsake the 'treasures" of our age and world for the "reproach of Christ". Like Moses, we are called to lose self, and pursue the path of service and sacrifice. We choose to be inconvenienced by the needs of the people of God, and a lost world. We choose to be defined, not by vocation or social status, but by sacrificial service.
Faith chooses the more difficult path. But, this is ultimately the path of blessing. For it is on this path that we are able to see "Him who is unseen." (Hebrews 11.27).
May the call of our Father, and the example of His Son, place us each on the path that truly matters.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
"By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward." (Hebrews 11.24-26)
Moses, the man of privilege, forsook his status and followed his Father's leading. The choice is well summarized in these words: "choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin". This is the basic choice we all face: indulge in personal pleasure, or share in the unjust treatment of the people of God. To stand strong with the people of God is to face opposition from the system of the world, which is set in radical opposition.
It is interesting that Moses, having lived many years prior to the coming of Jesus, considered "the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt". As a man of faith, with keen insight into God's plan, saw in advance the suffering Messiah. In faith, he chose to cast his lot with the Christ he had never met.
Living two thousands years past the time of Christ, we face the same challenge. Faith leads us to forsake the 'treasures" of our age and world for the "reproach of Christ". Like Moses, we are called to lose self, and pursue the path of service and sacrifice. We choose to be inconvenienced by the needs of the people of God, and a lost world. We choose to be defined, not by vocation or social status, but by sacrificial service.
Faith chooses the more difficult path. But, this is ultimately the path of blessing. For it is on this path that we are able to see "Him who is unseen." (Hebrews 11.27).
May the call of our Father, and the example of His Son, place us each on the path that truly matters.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 9:17 AM
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