Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
Jesus Christ will never use us and then discard us. Jesus Christ the King is too gracious and merciful and loving and concerned and compassionate to behave in that manner.
Jesus Christ will never regard you as someone He can lever, just to get something from you, and then finish with you.
It is sore and painful when someone misuses you or abuses you and takes what they can from you and then walks away rejecting you. You may have invested time and energy in that life, but once they have got what they want, off they go!
Jesus Christ will never act in that appalling manner.
To behave like that is sin, and needs to be called sin.
We are reading in Matthew Chapter 13 verses 44 to 46 of the farmer and the merchant.
The farmer and the merchant found riches, and it was more than they had ever expected. They found so much more than they dared dream.
Paul knew this. He considered everything he had possessed rubbish or dung when he had found Christ Jesus. We read of that in Philippians Chapter 3 verse 7.
We have to be willing and prepared let go of certain things which may not be bad – to sell everything to buy that field in which there was treasure – and other pearls.
The merchant sold all the pearls he had and they were still real pearls, but they did not give satisfaction.
What they had was nothing when compared with the treasure, or the pearl of great price.
Yesterday’s treasures were sold off so that they could find what was extremely precious.
It seems a high price to pay, but when we receive Christ it is no great high price at all.
Some must have thought he was a crazy – or had gone strange. He sold everything he had just to buy that field. There’s been nothing much from that ground for many a year!
Can you imagine the conversation when some people heard that the merchant had sold everything for that one pearl of great value? “Did you hear about Tom? He sold all his business outlets and bought just one thing in exchange.”
Jesus wants us too to share the treasure. Jesus does not want us to keep the pearl all to ourselves, under the counter.
This precious truth – this saving grace – this amazing love – this light which enlightens every kind of darkness – all this is for sharing with those who so need what God offers in Christ Jesus.
Many people just do not know what God offers hurting wounded pained mankind, through Jesus Christ! It is our task and our role and our ministry to tell them.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.