What Will Be Your “Defense?!”

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

~ Matthew 7:21-23

PSST. We are being tested in the tiniest ways.

Picture this: You’re doctor, Chief Executive Officer of Something, or a billionaire. You can afford a Maserati, Tesla, whatever. In your mind, you’ve worked hard — and you deserve a Maserati, Tesla, whatever.  

But if you’re believe in the teachings of Christ, pause, and ask yourself this:

What would Jesus Christ do?

Would Christ buy a Maserati, Tesla, whatever?!

28 When Jesus had finished saying all this, he went on toward Jerusalem. 29 As he was getting near Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples on ahead. 30 He told them, “Go into the next village, where you will find a young donkey that has never been ridden. Untie the donkey and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks why you are doing this, just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”

~ Luke 19:28-31

Or, would Christ buy a used Toyota Corolla, and then use the unspent money to help someone else who needs a vehicle but can’t afford it? Or would he feed the hungry? Or would he purchase medical testing for someone in desperate need? In other words, would he use the leftover resources to ease the burden of as many fellowmen as he could?

Deep down we know the answer.

Yes, we know that regardless of Jesus’ financial or social status, he would NOT buy a flashy, expensive car. We know this because of the choices he consistently made during his time on this Earth. We can be certain that he would choose the “donkey” every, single time. This was his example.


It is clear to me what Christ’s expects of us from when it comes to seemingly insignificant choices like the clothes we choose to wear, the homes we choose to occupy, or the vehicles we choose for transportation. In all things, we can choose to exalt the teachings of Christ and follow his clear example. Or, we can choose to surrender to social expectations and our egos.

36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

~ Mark 8:36-37

Unfortunately, there are too many “good” Christians who fail to understand the import of all their choices. They believe that tithing and “good” thoughts are enough. When in reality, their everyday choices are mired deep in the worldly superficiality and the unworthy crap that it exalts.

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

~ 1 Peter 4:18

We need to be brutally honest with ourselves and God. Why are we chasing advanced degrees? Why do we want a particular job title? Why do we feel the need to own a Maserati, Tesla, whatever? Why have we chosen a McMansion? What is the intent of the clothing we choose to wear? Yes, these are everyday choices we make that all reveal something about our character and how we view ourselves, the priority when put on the world’s opinion, and our relationship to our God.


… None of us know our end, really, or what hand will guide us there. A king may move a man, a father may claim a son, but that man can also move himself, and only then does that man truly begin his own game. Remember that howsoever you are played or by whom, your soul is in your keeping alone, even though those who presume to play you be kings or men of power. When you stand before God, you cannot say, “But I was told by others to do thus,” or that virtue was not convenient at the time. This will not suffice. Remember that.

~ King Baldwin IV, “Kingdom of Heaven (2005)”

Bottom line for me is this:

When I make choices, I always ask myself this: When I stand before my maker and he asks why I made this choice or that? I need to know that my choices had NOTHING to do with fitting into this RIDICULOUS world of smoke, mirrors, superficiality, and total bullshit.

I need know that while I was flawed and a hot mess at times that I gave Christ’s opinion and examples priority over that of the world. Because like he said:

36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

~ Mark 8:36

8 thoughts on “What Will Be Your “Defense?!””

  1. Way to long without a post, Janine. No doubt the masses standing before God would think they were good enough to get into heaven. This world has scrambled up our thinking, priorities, morals, and what’s truly important. I don’t think I can pass through the eye of a “needle.” I want to be better though.

    Reply
    • I know. There is a definite line between living in the world and buying into and placing a high value on all the bullshit the world says is important. Most of us are not good at doing it and this may the greatest test of all. Thanks for the comment.

      Reply
  2. Jesus lived his life on earth as an example for us to follow. All too often we get caught up in the frivolous things of this world and lose our way. This post reminds me that as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, I must always pattern my life and the way I live after him.

    Glad to have you back! And thanks for the reminder and encouragement as we struggle to understand our purpose in this life.

    Reply
    • Amen. The things of this world are very seductive and manipulative. It is a daily war that we must wage that requires three things:

      1. The WISDOM to know the right. Thankfully, we have Christ’s examples.
      2. The STRENGTH to choose it every, single time, because these choices are not one and done.
      3. The WILL to make it endure. We will get exhausted but we can never give into the foolishness of the world. NEVER.

      Glad you missed me.

      Reply

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