Following the LORD JESUS means following the way of the CROSS.
A few days ago while driving, we approached a stretch of road
where road works were going on. As we were guided to cross over and proceed on the lane meant for traffic going on the opposite direction, we saw a small vehicle in front of us with a big clear sign 'FOLLOW ME'. Although we knew that section of the road would be closed during that time for on coming traffic, it was quite daunting for us, knowing the danger of driving towards oncoming vehicles!
The precious gentle but firm voice of the LORD spoke to me those very words, "FOLLOW ME". I have gone before you to save you and protect you from the onslaught of the enemy. I faced and overcame the devil and the world. I have shown you and made a way for you to overcome, by following Me!
The message and the way of the cross is foolishness to the world and will bring contentions even among Christians.
The LORD'S way, the way of victory is the way of the CROSS. Victory, not as the world sees victory, but as Heaven sees victory!
In the current context, the big question is, 'Should I take the covid 19 vaccine or not?'
The following questions will help us with our decision.
1) Am I following CHRIST by following the way of the cross?
2) Is this about denying myself - my right, my wellbeing, my self preservation, my reputation and my self respect? Is my motive towards honoring GOD, and loving others?
3) Am I trying to avoid suffering?
From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.
Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!"
But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Matthew 16:21-24
We must face and accept the suffering of the cross and not turn away from it.
We should recognize the voice of the enemy that says, "Far be it from you; this should not happen to you!"
This definitely does not mean that we should create sufferings for ourselves by our foolishness or recklessness or even make sacrifices the LORD does not require of us. But avoiding suffering should not be a reason for our decisions.
Taking a stand to protect our heart and soul is more important than protecting our bodies.
Keeping our faith strong and worshiping GOD alone keeps our heart protected and filled with His love. Putting the interests of others before ours and seeking their wellbeing protects our soul. GOD is also able to divinely protect our bodies from any kind of harm.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.
But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."
Daniel 3:16-18
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
3 John 1:2
"Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:27-31
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
Philippians 3:10-16
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With what attitude am I making this decision?
Be careful not to catch the wrong attitudes of anger, reviling, oppression and rebellion from others. Holiness means not reviling when being reviled, not angered when dealt with anger, not rebelling or oppressing when being oppressed, or even treated unjustly.
What goes into your mind that influences your attitude to be a hindrance for the flow of GOD'S love through you matters more than what goes into your body that could be harmful.
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-- as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.
Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";
who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
1 Peter 2:11-23
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21
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Am I fighting against injustice from those who have authority over me?
Then he (Pilate) said to them the third time, "Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go."
But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed.
So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested.
And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
Luke 23:22-25
In the face of blatant injustice, trust GOD to defend you.
At all times, carry the attitude of humility and submission.
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Am I fighting for my rights?
Submission is, being willing to obey even if I don't agree.
When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, "Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?"
He said, "Yes." And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?"
Peter said to Him, "From strangers." Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free.
Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you."
Matthew 17:24-27
Signs, wonders and miracles are a part of the way of the cross!
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Am I standing firmly in my place in the Scriptural structure of Authority?
Then Pilate said to Him, "Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?"
Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin."
John 19:10-11
So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"
And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.
Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.
It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.
All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Revelation 13:4-8
GOD gives authority sometimes to good and at other times to evil people to rule over His children with a reason. We need the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and sensitivity to Him to know how to submit to authority without worshiping. Submission means honoring the authority and being willing to obey. Worship is unconditional obedience and it belongs only to GOD.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Ephesians 6:10-16
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Is my decision based on fear or love?
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
We love Him because He first loved us.
If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
1 John 4:18-21
Check whether your decision is based on fear for yourself or love for others.
Fear of the virus? Fear of the needle? Fear of adverse effects of the vaccine?
Will others benefit even if I may need to go through some kind of suffering?
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
These things I command you, that you love one another.
John 15:12-17
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Is my decision based on fear or faith?
That is why you can't decide for others. Each individual has to decide according to his or her faith. For fear gives the devil a foothold into our lives. Anything we do that is not of faith, is sin.
Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.
Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand... But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way... for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, (or vaccination or no-vaccination!) but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
Romans 14:1-4, 10-13, 17-23
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Am I worshiping anyone other than GOD, in making this decision?
Then a herald cried aloud: "To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages,
that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up;
and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace."
So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.
But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."
Daniel 3:4-7, 16-18
And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
Acts 4:18-20
In these circumstances, it was not rebellion but obedience to GOD, the higher authority, that made the servants of GOD disobey their rulers.
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Am I accepting worship from anyone?
Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonia language, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!"
And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out
and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,
And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.
Acts 14:11-15,18
As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.
But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself am also a man."
Acts 10:25-26
And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
Revelation 19:10
Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."
Revelation 22:8-9
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