Fellowship with Jesus does not guarantee loyalty to Him.
It takes more than that. (1)
My Dad raised me to be loyal. It is one of those values which he holds to tightly. I am not sure why loyalty is so important to him, but it is. Perhaps he was once stung by the kiss of betrayal.
Jesus had 12 close friends into which he had poured out His heart and soul. They were together 24/7 for three years. Who could ask for a more loyal group of friends? Jesus could!
In the moment of His greatest need, after unveiling the disloyalty of one of His friends, Jesus asked His remaining friends to stay awake and pray for Him while He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. The friends slept. This was only the beginning.
For three years they had been with Jesus, worshipped with Him, prayed with Him, and grew in faith as He discipled them. Jesus had fed them, protected them, saved them, inspired them, and strengthened them.
Then one dark night, it was all for nought.
I see many Christians do the same thing.
They worship, sing, pray, listen, and use His name frequently. They have tight fellowship with Jesus, until the world offers them a better deal.
The world’s offerings are varied. You may be offered 30 silver coins from men in power or you may be desperate for popularity when a little girl asks you a question among campfire friends.
Quietly we slip away from Jesus enjoying the jingle in our pocket and hoping the rooster does not crow.
Regret always comes before sun rise when you are disloyal to Jesus.
Being tight with Jesus today does not guarantee you will be tight with Him tonight.
What are you doing to protect yourself from being disloyal to Him?
I pray:
“Lord, lead me not into temptation. Protect me from the Evil One, the great tempter. Guard my heart and mind, keep me close to You.” (2)
Will Jesus find you worshipping Him tomorrow? It’s going to be a beautiful day!
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Jim L. Wilson, Fresh Start Devotionals (Fresno, CA: Willow City Press, 2009).
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Matthew 6:13 and Philippians 4:7
May God grant us all the grace to remain faithful and true to Him.
“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36 NKJV