Jun 13

If Jesus had come down from the cross in response to the mockings of the unbelieving crowd, what would have been the result? Would he have proven that he was God? Absolutely. But he would also have failed to finish the task that God the Father had given him to do, and there would be no means for us to obtain salvation, for only through the shedding of blood can this be done (Heb. 9:22).

So it is seen that mocking is really a way to try to get God and his servants to abandon their commitment to doing what God has sent them to do. It may seem on the surface that doing what the mockers want will prove them wrong, but in doing so, the bigger truth at issue will be lost.

That is why our adversary the devil mocks. He is willing to give up and concede smaller issues if he can win in the end. Foolish Christians sometimes fall for this trap and give in to compromise with the world, thinking that they have advanced forward the cause of God, when in reality they have hindered it and harmed the larger goal of not only doing God's work but doing it his way.

We must never let the opinions of the world sway us from sticking consistently to the one way of truth, God's way, as revealed in his Word.

Scripture for today: Genesis 16:1-5
Thought for today: God's work must be done in God's way.
Prayer for today: Forgive me, Lord, when I have given in to the ways of the world, seeking to fulfill your great commission by my own ideas or actions, as Abraham did in conceiving Ishmael.

JUN 13