RENT -- LEASE -- OR OWN

RENT – LEASE – OR OWN!

Luke 9:23-24

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

           I think the reason why so many professing Christians are indistinguishable from others is that Jesus has taken up residence in their heart but only as a renter. For some renting is a necessity. Their circumstance is a temporary one and so they rent a temporary dwelling or they do not have the funds necessary to buy a home. Neither of these things is true of Jesus Christ. He desires to come in and set up His home in our heart permanently and none is as rich as He. The problem must be in the landlord who is not interested in selling.

           Those who rent their property do so to make a profit; some benefit is sought. Life for them has become messy and so they invite Jesus into their life as a renter. Some small place is made available for Him so that he might make improvements. After the crisis is over the lease is broken and Jesus is evicted and replaced with a more cordial and compatible tenant.

Luke 11:24-26

24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.

25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.

26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

              Commitment means a willingness to be unhappy for awhile. It means that we have “sold out” to another. We are no longer in charge. That is a scary thing to consider with property so valuable as our very lives but “whosoever will seek to save his life will actually lose it.” Only in complete abandonment to the will of God will our life be saved. Adlai Stevenson once said: “I venture to say that patriotism is not a short frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” The same is true of real faith. It is not a short outburst of involvement in religion but a steady dedication of a lifetime.

Dear Lord, I want YOU to move into my life and take control. AMEN