Preaching as a Means of Survival
From Albert Mohler: Preaching as a Means of Survival
No Regrets
Luke 9:23–27 (ESV)
23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”
The fear of regret keeps millions from taking up their cross to follow Jesus. But for those who do, there is never regret. In spite of pain, suffering, and human loss, the disciple never regrets his decision to obey Christ and take up his cross.
Judge Yourself
“Sin puts a child of God on self-judging;—he passes a sentence upon himself. ‘I am more brutish than any man.’ Prov. 30:2. It is dangerous to judge others, but it is good to judge ourselves. ‘If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.’ 1 Cor. 11:31. When a man has judged himself, Satan is put out of office: when he lays any thing to a saint’s charge, he is able to retort and say, ‘It is true. Satan, I am guilty of these sins, but I have judged myself already for them; and having condemned myself in the lower court of conscience, God will acquit me in the upper court of heaven.'”
Thomas Watson, 1620-1686