Rev. Ray and Pat Amos

Luke 14:23

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”

“Compel them to come…” Those are the words of a desperate king who has a house ready for celebration to share with anyone who is willing to accept his invitation. COMPEL is a word that Christians leaders must reclaim (and the sooner the better).

We seemed to have dropped it from the church vocabulary. I suppose that is because it implies dragging someone into the Kingdom while they are kicking and screaming. It is really more about the depth of God’s love. Our God who wants a good life for us more than we seem to want it for ourselves.

The Gospel is like a powerful magnet. Some people are easily drawn to it; others resist with a strength that is no match for the power of Love. The once atheist C. S. Lewis wrote of the unrelenting approach of Christ on his life. He told of the one that he “so earnestly desired not to meet.” Finally he surrendered to what he could no longer deny, and in his own words, He was “surprised by joy.”

“How long will you kick against me?” That was the question Jesus asked Saul of Tarsus. Later Paul would write, “Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Philippians 3:8.

Many long and good relationships started with someone resisting it at first. Then came the discovery that love was greater than the objections. I have even known pets and their owners who started out with a scratch, or a growl, but now they are inseparable friends. How much more this can be true in a relationship with Jesus.

When I think back to my early steps with God; The Gospel was compelling. I wasn’t forced, but compelled to believe that I needed the Christ who wanted me. I thank God for everyone who put in me the urgency to know God.

Grace and Peace, Rev Ray

Link to Youtube – I Surrender All