Word@Work Luke266 - Luke 17:30-32
Published: Fri, 01/07/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
NO LOOKING BACK
Luke 17:30-32 "It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no-one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no-one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot's wife!" (NIV)
When Jesus returns, the things of earth will have no value any more. But for those who have invested all their hope in their possessions, the Day of the Lord will be a huge challenge. Like passengers on a sinking ship, they will want to salvage whatever is precious to them. Lot's wife made a fatal error: instead of getting away from the volcanic ash and lava that was consuming Sodom, she looked back longingly as her old lifestyle was destroyed, because her heart was there. And so she perished along with the life she loved; her possessions, home, friends and social games. It did not even seem to bother her that others in her family were being saved.
As citizens of heaven, we need to get ready to go there. Jesus was training His apostles so that they could reassess their lifestyles and teach other believers to do the same. Although gravity continues to anchor our bodies to the earth, our born-again spirits must not be earth-bound any longer. As Paul writes, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Colossians 3:1-2).
Any change of lifestyle requires practice: but first the mind must be convinced and the heart must believe that it is the right thing to do. This is true about becoming a Christian. It is also true for Christians who realise that that they are not living according to God's Word, and things need to change. In the same way that it is useless to start revising for an examination with only hours to go, no time can be lost in transforming an unsanctified life. When Jesus comes back it will be too late. Satan still tempts people to look back at the best the world might give and long for more. But the citizen of heaven is destined for better things ... so we need to get in training. As Paul wrote, "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13b-14). Remember Lot's wife and don't look back!
Prayer: Dear Lord God. Thank You for this reminder that I must not look back to cherish again those things which You have saved me from. Please help me to have a more finely tuned conscience so that I learn to resist the temptation to go back to my former way of life. Please help me to set heaven as a higher goal than earth and to train myself to prioritise those things which Jesus Christ will approve when He comes again. In His Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
When Jesus returns, the things of earth will have no value any more. But for those who have invested all their hope in their possessions, the Day of the Lord will be a huge challenge. Like passengers on a sinking ship, they will want to salvage whatever is precious to them. Lot's wife made a fatal error: instead of getting away from the volcanic ash and lava that was consuming Sodom, she looked back longingly as her old lifestyle was destroyed, because her heart was there. And so she perished along with the life she loved; her possessions, home, friends and social games. It did not even seem to bother her that others in her family were being saved.
As citizens of heaven, we need to get ready to go there. Jesus was training His apostles so that they could reassess their lifestyles and teach other believers to do the same. Although gravity continues to anchor our bodies to the earth, our born-again spirits must not be earth-bound any longer. As Paul writes, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Colossians 3:1-2).
Any change of lifestyle requires practice: but first the mind must be convinced and the heart must believe that it is the right thing to do. This is true about becoming a Christian. It is also true for Christians who realise that that they are not living according to God's Word, and things need to change. In the same way that it is useless to start revising for an examination with only hours to go, no time can be lost in transforming an unsanctified life. When Jesus comes back it will be too late. Satan still tempts people to look back at the best the world might give and long for more. But the citizen of heaven is destined for better things ... so we need to get in training. As Paul wrote, "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13b-14). Remember Lot's wife and don't look back!
Prayer: Dear Lord God. Thank You for this reminder that I must not look back to cherish again those things which You have saved me from. Please help me to have a more finely tuned conscience so that I learn to resist the temptation to go back to my former way of life. Please help me to set heaven as a higher goal than earth and to train myself to prioritise those things which Jesus Christ will approve when He comes again. In His Name. Amen.
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