A CRY OR A CROWN

LUKE 12: 47-48?

And that servant, which knew his lord’s will and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.’’

From Luke 12:47, we have three responsibilities:

• Know the will of God

• Prepare for it

• Do deeds in alignment to it.

There are consequences for not discovering, not preparing for or not doing deeds in alignment to the will of God. In verse 48, we see that knowledge brings responsibility but knowledge that you don’t act upon has greater consequences. A man who doesn’t know the will of God still suffers consequences of such ignorance, however little. Imagine somebody who lived on the earth, who was never born-again and did not discover the will of God for his life, he will still have to give account at the White Throne Jugment for God’s original purpose for the life he lived.

Preparation for the will of God results from the knowledge of the will of God. If God shows you what you are to be for Him, it informs the kind of preparation He has marked out for you. You cannot compare yourself with your friends. You need to take personal responsibility for seeking the will of God and prepare for it.

Don’t wait until crises come before you begin to prepare. The ants teach us that on-time preparation makes up for lack of strength (Proverbs 30:25). In fact, people that prepare early  appear stronger than the people that really have strength. Learn to take advantage of the various seasons in your life to prepare for the next season. Opportunity will not wait for you to get prepared. God gives us opportunity to redeem the time and lost gifts. Live ready before your opportunity comes. If you don’t labour to discover God's purpose for your life and do it, then there are many stripes waiting for you. At the end of our race, two things are waiting: a cry or a crown. Which one will be yours?

PRAYER: Lord, show me Your purpose for my life, I receive grace to prepare and do according to the details of it in Jesus' name. Amen.

Bible in a year: Exodus 13:17-15:18, Matthew 21:23-46, Psalm 26:1-12, Proverbs 6:16-19