Saved From Self.

john clark

Luke 9:29 NLT,

Then Jesus said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

I know a man by the name of John. He’s the most straight-forward, no-nonsense guy I’ve ever met. At the same time, he’s the most hilarious Irishman I know, with an impecable sense of timing and wit. He’s also a darn good liar. John, like many people, is a paradox of sorts.

He doesn’t buy into gimmicks (no matter who’s selling them). He’s not intimidated by scientific theory or multisyllabic terms. He doesn’t romanticize with theories or philosophies, but he’s also not afraid to ask – like Pilot – ‘What is truth?’

That’s a question that can only be asked in two ways. 1) You ask it rhetorically, already believing, ”There is no truth.” 2) You ask it desiring to know the Truth, even if the answer’s not what you want to hear. Truth cannot be accepted, it must be submitted to.

I don’t think John’s pursuit of the Truth is to show someone else where he or she is wrong. I think it’s because the Truth is important to him.  Here are John’s own words of how he submitted to the Truth. (Emphasis mine)

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1 Thessalonians 2

3) For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 4) But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

5) Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7)But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8) So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
9) For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
10 ) You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11) as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,
12) that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

There is so much here I don’t even know where to start. I want this to be my testimony in ministry. I want this to by my testimony at home, and among my peers. I ask for an End Vision for these fleeting eyes, and this insatiable heart.