Not everyone accepts the gospel message of forgiveness, loving and praying for one’s enemies, sexual responsibility, marriage without divorce, doctrine rejecting contraception, etc. For some, it is hard and impossible to practice; some accept it, but find it difficult to practice, while some are indifferent about it. Whatever category we find ourselves depends on the choices we make since we are products of our choices!
Do you realise that the effects of divine blessings and curses function on our choices as well? If this is too deep, read slowly…
Cf. John 6:60-69
After hearing his doctrine many of the followers of Jesus said, ‘This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?’ Jesus was aware that his followers were complaining about it and said, ‘Does this upset you? What if you should see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before? ‘It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh has nothing to offer. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life…After this, many of his disciples left him and stopped going with him. Then Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘What about you, do you want to go away too?’ Then Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘What about you, do you want to go away too?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.’
POINTS FOR REFLECTION
1. Jesus’ teaching on the bread of life which is his body and blood (the Holy Eucharist) was hard to accept and thus received rejection like his teaching against divorce in Matthew 19. This even cost him his followers, but he was not deterred at the loss of followers because only the truth can save, and he is The Truth and Life! Jesus himself declares: it is not meant for everyone except for those who can accept it.
2. But something is common between those who felt insulted and left and those that remained: they made a choice and that choice determined their lives making them believers or non-believers. While the believers became sharers or partakers in the Holy Spirit and eternal rewards, non-believers slid into destruction!
TASK: Uncountable are the blessings of the believer because God is with him! And so I urge you now to resolve in your heart and make a choice: are you for the gospel message of against it? Take a stand! There’s no room for indifference or ‘standing on the fence’. I Pray for you, that you may make the right choice- one that will transform you positively forever. AMEN.
Pray Psalm 34 now asking the Lord to bless and establish your choice today.
