"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last–dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.
"The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master's money.
"After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, 'Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.'
"The master was full of praise. 'Well done mt good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so not I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'
"The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, 'Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.'
"The master said, 'Well done my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'
"Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, 'Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn't plant and gathering crops you didn't cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.'
"But the master replied, 'You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn't plant and gathered crops I didn't cultuvate, why didn't you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.'
"Then he ordered, 'Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" -Matthew 25:14-30
For a while now I've been hearing people talk about the "gospel"…sharing the gospel, living the gospel, it's all about the gospel. Well, I didn't quite understand what the "gospel" was. So, I decided to read through the gospels. I have failed at being consistent, but when I have been, God sure has been teaching me loads.
So, this morning I read Matthew 24-25. What I posted above really got me, though. As I was reading this, I just kept thinking, am I being a good servant? Am I making the most out of my life for Christ? Am I truly caring for what God has given me? What has he put under my care, anyway? I don't think I'm pouring myself out like God calls me to…
Then my friend sent me a verse. One of his all-time favorite verses ever, and mine too!
"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Galatians 2:20
Jesus, I nail myself on that cross with you. I was crucified with you. It is solely and completely by your grace that I am here living and breathing in this body. I am completely yours, yet I sure don't act like it. By the way I live, you'd think it was just me against the world. God, you did not give me life to sit around. You gave me your life so that I can grow your kingdom. How selfish of me to do anything but that. Father, break me apart, tear me to pieces, refine me in your fire. Awake my soul, God. Awake my soul to you and your will.
Only Love Remains
JJ Heller
Scenes of you come rushing through
You are breaking me down
So break me into pieces
That will grow in the ground
I know that I deserve to die
For the murder in my heart
So be gentle with me Jesus
As you tear me apart
Please kill the liar
Kill the thief in me
You know that I am tired of their cruelty
Breathe into my spirit
Breathe into my veins
Until only love remains
You burn away the ropes that bind
And hold me to the earth
The fire only leaves behind whatever is of worth
I begin to see reality
For the first time in my life
I know that I'm a shadow
But I'm dancing in your light
Teach me to be humble
Call me from the grave
Show me how to walk with you upon the waves
Breathe into my spirit
Breathe into my veins
Until only love remains
