Episode 140
Mark 10:28-34
Mark 10:28-34
- The first thing which demands our attention is the glorious promise which they contain.
- The second thing which demands our attention is the solemn warning which they contain.
- The last thing that demands our attention is our Lord's clear foreknowledge of His own suffering and death.
"Where is the saint who will dare to say in the face of these glorious promises, that there is no encouragement to serve Christ? Where is the man or woman whose hands are beginning to hang down, and whose knees are beginning to faint in the Christian race? Let all such ponder this passage, and take fresh courage."
"It is not enough to begin well. We must persevere, and go on, and continue in well-doing. We must not be content with the fair blossoms of a few religious convictions, and joys, and sorrows, and hopes, and fears. We must bear the good fruit of settled habits of repentance, faith, and holiness. Happy is he who counts the cost, and resolves, having once begun to walk in the narrow way, by God's grace never to turn aside."
"Let us ever bless God that the Gospel sets before us such a Savior, so faithful to the terms of the covenant--so ready to suffer--so willing to be reckoned sin and a curse in our stead. Let us not doubt that He who fulfilled his engagement to suffer, will also fulfill His engagement to save all who come to Him."
Questions:
1. Do the promises for here and the life to come encourage your heart when you contemplate them? When is the last time you thought about these blessings?
2. Friends, are we not humbled by the fact that it doesn’t matter how we start, but that we persevere to the end in faith and well-doing? How many do we count who started and have fallen since? Do we not see our need for daily grace?
3. Do our hearts not hear of the faithfulness of Jesus and bless His name? Does hearing this give us fresh confidence that God who began a good work will bring it to completion? Does this cause us to take God for granted or desire to live for Him today?