It is relatively easy to make an affirmation when one isn't under the gun or when things are going relatively well for one. It is quite different to make that affirmation of loving and wanting the truth when times get rough and especially if one's life is in jeopardy for one's stand for the truth of Christ. Peter said he would never forsake the Lord even if the whole world should do so. He did not think he would act as he did when he made his affirmation. However when it seemed that he could lose his life for admitting an association with Jesus Christ of Nazareth, his weakness was manifested. He denied the Lord three times, and that with cursing and swearing! "I know not the man" ( Luke 22:54-58; Matthew 26:69-74). Jesus had told Peter that he would deny him three times before the cock crew (Matthew 26:33-35). I suppose one never knows how one would conduct one's self until one is put to the actual test. I think this account of the apostle Peter shows us that we should exercise caution when affirming what we may or may not do under given circumstances. We should note before leaving this illustration that later in his life the apostle Peter showed outstanding conviction. According to tradition when they were to take Peter's life he requested to be crucified head downward saying he was not worthy to be crucified head up as was his Master. We do know that Jesus predicted that Peter would meet a violent death (John 21:18-19).

   Do you love the truth more than your family ties? I mean by this, would you forsake the Lord and His truth if it came down to a choice between truth and family? If standing for the truth of Christ meant that your husband or wife would leave you if you didn't compromise, what would you do? If your father and mother said they would disown you from henceforth unless you renounced the truth, what would you do? Before you answer those questions, consider how it is that some will forsake an assembly of the local church in deference to some family members who have come for a visit.In fact this is quite common. That being so, how would they act if family put on pressure for them to leave Christ and His church? It makes one wonder doesn't it? Below is a quote from the mouth of Jesus Christ Himself regarding what our attitude must be to please Him.

     "If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:26-27). Jesus continued in the same context to say that one must needs consider the costs of discipleship. Some do not, and when decision time comes which would set them at odds with family, friends, or their own desires, aren't willing to make those sacrifices to be pleasing to Christ. Such folks cannot be a true disciple. There is some "cross bearing" that accompanies faithfulness  as a disciple of Christ (Luke 14:28-35; Compare Matthew 10:34-39).

     To paraphrase the apostle Paul on this subject, he said to the Thessalonians that God would send a "strong delusion" also called in some versions a "working of error" to those who "love not the truth, causing them to believe a lie and be damned.." (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). This means that if I allow any thing or any person to be more important to me than Christ and His truth, God will turn me over to Satan and the errors he promulgates. Paul speaks of Satan himself being "transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works" (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). Above when Jesus said that one must "hate his father, mother, wife, children, brethren, sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple," He simply means that we should love all those less than the Lord and His truth. Obviously we are to honor our fathers and mothers and love our wives, children, brothers, and even our own selves in the proper sense. But we must put nothing before the Lord is the point. Do you? If so, you are a ripe candidate for that "strong delusion" causing you to believe a lie and be damned.

    God expects Christians to work and provide for their own livelihood and that of their family. Paul said that one who "provides not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel" (1 Timothy 5:8). He also is on record as saying "..that if any would not work neither should he eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10b). So as we think about our relationship to our work or occupation, we aren't speaking of the legitimate earning of income to see to our responsibilities. Often, however, Christians become so caught up in making a living that they fail to make a proper spiritual life. Like in the parable of the "soils" in (Luke 8 and Matthew 13), some have their spiritual vitality and progress crowded out with the "care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful" (Matt. 13:22). Jesus asked the question of questions when He asked "For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul" (Matthew 16:26)? As one thinks along these lines, one should do some inventory. If one's job habitually causes one to absent themselves from the activities of the local congregation and takes up so much of his time that he cannot show the proper concern for others needs in both the physical and spiritual realms of life, then one should consider that he just may need to change jobs or occupations. Jesus said that we should "seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these (necessary things ket) shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). Do you?
 

    Some Christians are so mobile nowadays, that they can't be counted on to be in any one place for very long at a time to be a part of the working of a local collective of Christians. Paul always made it a point to become associated with his brethren where ever he traveled. He would "join himself" to the disciples and work with them (Acts 9:26-27; Acts 9:19-22; Acts 20:6-7). I can't dictate to any Christian how often he may be away from the local church enjoying the fruits of  his labors traveling,
sightseeing, and enjoying recreational activities like fishing, golfing, etc. I can tell you that one's spiritual activities must not be allowed to take a back seat to the pursuit of our own pleasures. Since the campers and motor homes have come into greater use, some Christians are simply of little value to any one local congregation. It has become increasingly difficult for a preacher to preach a series of sermons on needed subjects, for he can't plan on having the same audience (due to these transient members) for the entire series. It is discouraging to preachers and to elders too, for they can't plan ahead for the edificational needs of the membership. Some who live locally and could come regularly still don't, and that isn't the fault of camper trailers nor of motor homes! It is just plain indolence.

    What happens when a long held belief or traditional practice comes face to face with divine truth in your case? Are you willing to change?   It is much easier to claim that one will change when truth demands it than it is to actually make the change! We expect this of our denominational friends when we teach them the truth of the gospel of Christ. That is as it should be. Repentance demands not only a change of mind but a change of direction when one learns that he is wrong about any matter in religion. I have found to my dismay that many times Christians (members of the church of Christ) can be, and many are, just as tradition bound  as any denominational member you ever knew. This ought not so to be! We should always be willing to adjust our understanding and actions to any new truth we may learn from the Bible. If we aren't willing to so conduct ourselves we don't love truth as much as we may claim, and again, we are prime targets for that "strong delusion."

      Some folks who are converted to Christ have had to give up their weekly incomes. For example if one converts a Protestant preacher or a Catholic priest, they will lose all of their income from "their denomination" along with all retirement plans etc. Still, we would think nothing of expecting this because truth demands it of them. What about us? When one is converted who has been a beer truck driver and deliverer we say "brother, you must find other employment." That too becomes necessary and they can see that for themselves usually. Are we as willing to "contend for the faith once delivered" if it appeared that it may cost us our job with its retirement benefits etc.?  Will we stand against abortion on demand and homosexuality if it happens that our boss is of the persuasion that these things are alright? Will we stand up for the Lord and His truth when it jeopardizes our incomes or friendships? Something to think about. We may not be as willing to make that kind of sacrifices to please Christ as we would expect of others. It is just a matter of how important truth really is to us.

    There are so many things that need to be financed in the work of the kingdom that we have to forego for lack of funds. Sometimes this is because the membership is unwilling to make the sacrifices for truth that are needed when it hits our pocketbooks. Just think of how Christ must feel after giving His own life on the cross to save us, when we are so unwilling to give as we should that others may hear, believe, and obey His gospel so that they too might be saved! (Romans 10:4-17).

     Love of the truth and love of the Lord are one and the same. One who loves the Lord will love the truth of the Lord. We are to "love our Lord with all of our heart, and with all of our soul, and with all our mind" (Matthew 22:37). Do we?

    Jesus said "if you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15). That is the acid test. Love means that one will try and do what pleases one whom one loves. We will not always without error do so, for one who says he sins not, deceives one's self (1 John 1:8). The point is, one will be found trying to please Christ if one loves Him.  When Jesus chose His apostles and sent them out to teach His will to their fellow Jew and later to us Gentiles, He warned them that they were not going to  have it easy. The fact is He said they would be hated of all men for His name's sake (Matthew 10:22-28). Truth often demands change. Change demands sacrifices. Not all men are willing to make either the needed changes nor sacrifices which truth demands and so will become upset with the one teaching them, as Jesus said above. Jesus said "If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make Our abode with him" (John 14:23).

    Truth is narrow and restrictive. Only few will find it. Of the few who do, fewer yet will be willing to take the heat that truth demands in order to receive the blessings that faithfully following truth promises (Matthew 7:13-14, 21-29; Hebrews 5:8-9).

    Having considered these things what do you think about your own commitment to Christ and to His divine truth? Is it as strong as it should be? If not, you and I can change that by a greater love of the truth and of our Lord and by giving more time to a study and a prayerful consideration of  what is really important in our lives. The sacrifices demanded of us in order to be right with our Lord are insignificant when compared to the rewards that await the faithful. Paul spoke in the following language about this.  "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

    "...Lovest Thou Me More Than These..?"  (John 21:15-17)  Jesus asked Peter this question three times in a row. Peter was "grieved because He said unto him the third time, lovest thou Me?" What was Jesus saying to Peter? I think He was saying show me your love by the way you conduct yourself. "Feed My sheep." Let us compare this with (James 2:14-26). We have already noticed the context in which Jesus said "if you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15). Think about the conduct of folks who are avid sports fans and contrast that with our interest in spiritual matters and the activities of the local church of Christ. The price they are willing to pay for a ticket to attend! The types of weather they will brave without murmuring to watch their team perform! The distances they will drive to be in attendance! Etc., etc., etc. Folks will wrap up in blankets and camp out over night just to be there when the gates open in hopes of being able to buy a ticket and get a seat! Again, weather doesn't matter. They intend if possible to see that event.

  Next let us consider what some folks will endure to be able to get into a concert. Rock or otherwise. The same thing as for the sporting event. They will pay big bucks. They will camp out overnight. They will brave heat, cold, rain, sleet, earthquakes, etc., with joy. Why? They have an interest in what is happening on that occasion. It makes one ashamed to contrast some Christian's interest in spiritual matters to the avid sports fan or a fan of arts and music. If some get there at all, they  may drag in late. If the temperature isn't perfect they will complain "why didn't someone turn on the heat?" Or "why didn't someone get here early and turn on the air conditioning?" The preacher preaches too long. The seats are uncomfortable. Some certainly will not get nearly as involved in the services as they were at the ball game or concert. Their emotions run high at those events, but that same person sits like a knot on a log at worship services with never an a-men, nor any sign of enthusiasm. Sports fans or concert buffs will rehash the highlights of the game or concert with their friends and associates. Some Christians can't remember ten minutes after the worship services are over what the preacher's sermon topic was or any of the main points made.  What's the difference?  Usually it is simply interest and concern. We usually remember what we want to remember and we do what we really want to do, with joy and enthusiasm.  "Do You Love & Want The Truth?"