Page 024 - Fulfilling God's Will Costs Others
*Verses from AMP
"And as they led Him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross and made him carry it behind Jesus. (Amp: Luke 23:26).
It may seem that when anyone decides to follow the Lord, it is simply a personal matter. On the contrary, others are affected despite their intention not to be involved. This interference in the lives of other people is often the reason they have a negative reaction. No one wants to be put out because of situations beyond their control. Yet this is what happened to the man who was forced to carry the cross of Jesus.
Our former friends, who we use to hang out with and have a good time, were set aside. Now we can no longer take pleasure in the things we once partook of and our friends are offended because we have abandoned them. Is this not what Peter says, "For the time that is past already suffices for doing what the Gentiles like to do--living [as you have done] in shameless, insolent wantonness, in lustful desires, drunkenness, reveling, drinking bouts and abominable, lawless idolatries. They are astonished and think it very queer that you do not now run hand in hand with them in the same excesses of dissipation, and they abuse [you]---Amp: 1 Peter 4:3-4.
Therefore, we must have a sober mind and realize that when we follow the Lord Jesus Christ, others may have to suffer due to the life we are leading. Hopefully, it will lead them to salvation and they will not just be inconvenienced or be left with a bad taste in their mouth. Jesus also had to deal with His own family:
"Jesus was still speaking to the people when behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to Him. Someone said to Him, Listen! Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to You.
But He replied to the man who told Him, Who is My mother, and who are My brothers? And stretching out His hand toward [not only the twelve disciples but all] His adherents, He said, Here are My mother and My brothers. For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother!" (Matthew 12:46-50)