Word
for the Day July 3
By: Evang. Cascille Hammack
"But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
Mark 10:31
God does not judge by human standards neither is He impressed
by the world's systems of what is esteemed. Because of wealth, education, status and talent, the world holds individuals
up as "firsts". The "lasts" in the world system are those who are unknown and considered unimportant.
But the reality is that the only real system is God's system and there are no "unknowns" to God. Humility
is the first requirement for salvation, for you must first recognize your need to repent. Because He requires that
we die to ourselves before we receive His life, His requirement is built on humility. This is the opposite of the world.
Sadly, this world system has somehow made it's way into the modern church. But that does not change God's word.
Jesus is the head and His members are all part of His body with not one being more important than the other. God
has many that will be first that the church puts last. It is grievous to see the church behaving
like the world. Hurting souls leave the world and come to Christ because they have learned the world has nothing to
offer. When they truly find Christ, it is a sad state for them to arrive to church that is trying to act like the world.
Worse, is the lost who come to church looking for Christ and find the world system set up in another form. The church
is for God's sheep to be brought in, cared for and fed. It should be a place to worship Him, not worship men.
He is still on the throne. He has made it plain, "For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns
the humble with salvation." Psalm 149:4
Consider how many missed Jesus and discarded Him because they were
looking for someone who looked like the world. They are still missing Him today. 1 Cor. 1:27, 28 "But God chose the foolish things of this world to
shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world
and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are so that no one may boast before Him.
It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is our righteousness, holiness
and redemption." God is now in the process of bringing all worldly systems to an end.
"This is love for God: to obey his commands. And His commands are not
burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our
faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only He who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." 1 John
5:3-5