The folly and cost of putting family interests first!

“‭And‭ some‭ days‭ after‭ Paul‭ said‭‭ unto‭ Barnabas‭,‭ Let us go again‭‭ and visit‭‭ our‭ brethren‭ in‭ every‭ city‭ where‭‭ we have preached‭‭ the word‭ of the Lord‭, ‭and see‭ how‭ they do‭‭.‭ ‭And‭ Barnabas‭ determined‭‭ to take with them‭‭ John‭, whose surname was‭‭ Mark‭.‭ ‭But‭ Paul‭ thought‭‭ not‭ good‭‭ to take‭‭ him‭ with them‭‭, who‭ departed‭‭ from‭ them‭ from‭ Pamphylia‭, and‭ went‭‭ not‭ with them‭ to‭ the work‭.‭ ‭And‭ the contention‭‭ was‭‭ so sharp‭ between them‭, that‭ they departed asunder‭‭ one from the other‭‭: and so‭ Barnabas‭ took‭‭ Mark‭, and sailed‭‭ unto‭ Cyprus‭;‭ ‭and‭ Paul‭ chose‭‭ Silas‭, and departed‭‭, being recommended‭‭ by‭ the brethren‭ unto the grace‭ of God‭.‭ ‭And‭ he went through‭‭ Syria‭ and‭ Cilicia‭, confirming‭‭ the churches‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Acts 15:36-41.

(Robert Murray M‘Cheyne’s Bible Reading Calendar-15th January 2025)

Even in the halcyon days of the Holy Ghost empowered apostolic age, there were disputes amongst the brethren. Faithfulness to God and His will brings one into conflict with those less inclined to seek to rigidly abide by the plain Word of God.

Compromise is ever suggested to us by the flesh when we find ourselves caught between God’s will and that which is more pleasing to ourselves and those whom we would seek to please.

The incident before us here in Acts chapter 15 records that which has been repeated ‘ad nauseam’ throughout the ages!

Paul, moved by a concern for recent converts, suggests to his hitherto faithful companion in the service of God that they retrace their steps and visit those they had been the means of leading to Christ and ‘ see how they do’.

It immediately becomes obvious that poor Barnabas was harbouring some resentment regarding a sad incident which took place during their first missionary journey. It was a journey initiated by the Lord.

“‭Now‭ there were‭‭ in‭ the church‭ that was‭‭ at‭ Antioch‭ certain‭ prophets‭ and‭ teachers‭; as‭ Barnabas‭, and‭ Simeon‭ that was called‭‭ Niger‭, and‭ Lucius‭ of Cyrene‭, and‭ Manaen‭, which had been brought up‭ with Herod‭ the tetrarch‭, and‭ Saul‭.‭ ‭As‭ they‭ ministered‭‭ to the Lord‭, and‭ fasted‭‭, the Holy‭ Ghost‭ said‭‭,‭ Separate‭‭ me‭‭ Barnabas‭ and‭ Saul‭ for‭ the work‭ whereunto‭ I have called‭‭ them‭.‭ ‭And‭ when they had fasted‭‭ and‭ prayed‭‭, and‭ laid‭‭ ‭their‭ hands‭ on‭‭ them‭, they sent ‭them‭ away‭‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Acts 13:1-3.

I. IT WAS ON THIS JOURNEY THAT LEADERSHIP AND GOD-GIVEN AUTHORITY OF PAUL WAS MANIFESTED.

1. It is to be noted that Saul at the first is given a lesser prominence than Barnabas. Verse 1 has Barnabas mentioned first and Saul last! Again, in verse 2 the Lord refers to Barnabas before Saul. This order is repeated in verse 7.

But it changed thereafter!

The circumstances that brought it about was the satanic opposition mounted against the preaching of the gospel by the servants of God by one, “a certain‭ sorcerer‭, a false prophet, a Jew‬, whose‭ name‭ ‭was‭ Barjesus‬‬‬‬‬.” He was also called “Elymas‭ the sorcerer‬.” He sought to turn away the deputy of the country‭, Sergius‭ Paulus‬‬.

This challenge by the devil’s agent brought forth the ‘man for the hour’, Saul. “‭Then‭ Saul‭, (who‭ also‭ ‭is called‭ Paul‭,) filled with‭‭ the Holy‭ Ghost‭,‭ set his eyes‭‭ on‭ him‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ verse 9.

2. This displays the character of Saul. He was forthright, bold and unhesitating. His response was immediate. Perhaps I may be permitted to suggest that he did wait briefly for Barnabas to act, for doubtless Saul was aware of the seniority of the kind man who had faith in him after his conversion when many doubted the genuineness of that event. In a sense we can say that Barnabas had been the ‘mentor and confident’ of Saul in the early days of his Christian pilgrimage.

“‭And‭ when Saul‭ was come‭‭ to‭ Jerusalem‭, he assayed‭‭ to join himself‭‭ to the disciples‭: but‭ they were‭‭ all‭ afraid‭‭ of him‭, and believed‭‭ not‭ that‭ he was‭‭ a disciple‭.‭ ‭But‭ Barnabas‭ took‭‭ him‭, and brought‭‭ ‭him‭ to‭ the apostles‭, and‭ declared‭‭ unto them‭ how‭ he had seen‭‭ the Lord‭ in‭ the way‭, and‭ that‭ he had spoken‭‭ to him‭, and‭ how‭ he had preached boldly‭‭ at‭ Damascus‭ in‭ the name‭ of Jesus‭.‭ ‭And‭ he was‭‭ with‭ them‭ coming in‭‭ and‭ going out‭‭ at‭ Jerusalem‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Acts 9:26-28.

Again, Barnabas had shown his understanding of the gifts and abilities of Saul when gospel blessing broke forth in Antioch in Syria.

“‭Now‭‭ they which were scattered abroad‭‭ upon‭ the persecution‭ that arose‭‭ about‭ Stephen‭ travelled‭‭ as far as‭ Phenice‭, and‭ Cyprus‭, and‭ Antioch‭, preaching‭‭ the word‭ to none‭ but‭ unto the Jews‭ only‭.‭ ‭And‭ some‭ of‭ them‭ were‭‭ men‭ of Cyprus‭ and‭ Cyrene‭, which‭, when they were come‭‭ to‭ Antioch‭, spake‭‭ unto‭ the Grecians‭, preaching‭‭ the Lord‭ Jesus‭.‭ ‭And‭ the hand‭ of the Lord‭ was‭‭ with‭ them‭: and‭ a great‭ number‭ believed‭‭, and turned‭‭ unto‭ the Lord‭.‭ ‭Then‭ tidings‭ of‭ these things‭ came‭‭ unto‭ the ears‭ of the church‭ which‭ was in‭ Jerusalem‭: and‭ they sent forth‭‭ Barnabas‭, that he should go‭‭ as far as‭ Antioch‭.‭ ‭Who‭, when he came‭‭, and‭ had seen‭‭ the grace‭ of God‭, was glad‭‭, and‭ exhorted‭‭ them all‭, that with purpose‭ of heart‭ they would cleave unto‭‭ the Lord‭.‭ ‭For‭ he was‭‭ a good‭ man‭, and‭ full‭ of the Holy‭ Ghost‭ and‭ of faith‭: and‭ much‭ people‭ was added‭‭ unto the Lord‭.‭ ‭Then‭ departed‭‭ Barnabas‭ to‭ Tarsus‭, for to seek‭‭ Saul‭:‭ ‭and‭ when he had found‭‭ him‭, he brought‭‭ him‭ unto‭ Antioch‭. And‭ it came to pass‭‭, that a whole‭ year‭ they‭ assembled themselves‭‭ with‭ the church‭, and‭ taught‭‭ much‭ people‭. And‭ the disciples‭ were called‭‭ Christians‭ first‭ in‭ Antioch‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Acts 11:19-26.

3. I have no doubt that the kindness of Barnabas to him in the past would have caused Saul to hold back before responding to Elymas the false prophet. However, Saul then stepped forward to respond to the devil’s agent.

What a response it was!!!

“‭Then‭ Saul‭, (who‭ also‭ ‭is called‭ Paul‭,) filled with‭‭ the Holy‭ Ghost‭,‭ set his eyes‭‭ on‭ him‭,‭ ‭and said‭‭, O‭ full‭ of all‭ subtilty‭ and‭ all‭ mischief‭, ‭thou‭ child‭ of the devil‭, ‭thou‭ enemy‭ of all‭ righteousness‭, wilt thou‭‭ not‭ cease‭‭ to pervert‭‭ the right‭ ways‭ of the Lord‭?‭ ‭And‭ now‭, behold‭‭, the hand‭ of the Lord‭ ‭is‭ upon‭ thee‭, and‭ thou shalt be‭‭ blind‭, not‭ seeing‭‭ the sun‭ for‭ a season‭. And‭ immediately‭ there fell‭‭ on‭ him‭ a mist‭ and‭ a darkness‭; and‭ he went about‭‭ seeking‭‭ some to lead him by the hand‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Acts 13:9-11.

4. That Saul was in the will of God and was not guilty of overreacting may be seen both in the actual smiting of the evil man by God and also the effect upon Sergius‭ Paulus‬.

“‭Then‭ the deputy‭, when he saw‭‭ what was done‭‭, believed‭‭, being astonished‭‭ at‭ the doctrine‭ of the Lord‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ verse 12.

It is to be noted that the next verse says something very important though in an incidental fashion.

“‭Now‭ when Paul‭ and his company‭ loosed‭‭ from‭ Paphos‭ . . . ‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Saul is called by the Greek rendition of his Hebrew name from henceforth and the missionary group is now called “his company”.

Thus Paul was coming into the position of which the Lord had spoken of to Ananias at the time of Paul’s conversion.

“‭But‭ the Lord‭ said‭‭ unto‭ him‭, Go thy way‭‭: for‭ he‭ is‭‭ a chosen‭ vessel‭ unto me‭, to bear‭‭ my‭ name‭ before‭ the Gentiles‭, and‭ kings‭, and‭ the children‭ of Israel‭:‭ ‭for‭ I‭ will shew‭‭ him‭ how great things‭ he‭ must‭‭ suffer‭‭ for‭‭ my‭ name’s sake‭‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Acts 9:15-16.

God had a great purpose for this man and on the island of Cyprus, having shown his zeal for the honour of the Lord and his readiness to confront the powers of darkness, he was elevated to a position of leadership.

Just what impact this had upon the man who heretofore had been in a position of authority, I can only surmise! The very next verse, however, indicates that what had taken place and the power that Paul displayed when rebuking Elymas did not ‘go down well’ with John Mark, one of the company and nephew of Barnabas and who had been their assistant and ‘minister’, 13:5.

“‭Now‭ when Paul‭ and his company‭ loosed‭‭ from‭ Paphos‭, they came‭‭ to‭ Perga‭ in Pamphylia‭: and‭ John‭ departing‭‭ from‭ them‭ returned‭‭ to‭ Jerusalem‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ verse 13.

II. THIS WAS A VERY WRONG AND FOOLISH ACT BY JOHN MARK.

Again, we can only surmise what it was caused him to act in this fashion.

1. Whatever it was that prompted him, he obviously considered it a good reason. His action must have embarrassed his uncle Barnabas and made things very awkward between him and Paul. He was challenging the actions of Paul, who had acted under the power of the Holy Ghost. Furthermore, in what can only be considered an act of pique, he started off for Jerusalem on his own, a dangerous journey of approximately 1000 miles for a lone traveller !

2. I would understand John Mark to have objected to the nature of Paul’s response to Elymas’s opposition. He likely felt it to ‘over the top’, despite the Lord’s endorsement of Paul’s actions. He also may have thought that such measures would provoke more opposition to their preaching. If that is so, he was ignoring the fact that Paul’s action brought about the conversion of the deputy.

I am sure Paul would have urged upon him what he also advised Timothy to observe. “‭Thou‭ therefore‭ endure hardness‭‭, as‭ a good‭ soldier‭ of Jesus‭ Christ‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 2 Timothy 2:3.

3. In my time, I have witnessed the same attitude as I suspect John Mark was guilty of. When I joined the Free Presbyterian Church, I soon encountered the same spirit amongst those who objected to the strong stand taken by Dr Ian Paisley back then.

Professing ‘evangelicals’ would say that he should be less contentious, more gentle and loving when criticising the errors of Popery and Ecumenism!

Like John Mark, they were those who preferred ‘departing’ from such a stance! In so thinking, they, like him, were very wrong.

Of course, that spirit is still abroad. Indeed, it is to be found within the Free Presbyterian Church. It is evidenced by the fact that it is not as ‘militant’ as it was back in the 1960s and ’70s. Protests are now very few and far between. When one is called for, all manner of excuses are offered by the ‘John Marks’ of today as to why they cannot support such!

4. It is reasoned that things have changed and there is no longer a need for such protests. That is more than foolish, it is downright stupid!

Jeremiah records the words of God. “‭Then the LORD‭ said‭‭ unto me, Proclaim‭‭ all these words‭ in the cities‭ of Judah‭, and in the streets‭ of Jerusalem‭, saying‭‭, Hear‭‭ ye the words‭ of this covenant‭, and do‭‭ them.‭ ‭For I earnestly‭‭ protested‭‭ unto your fathers‭ in the day‭ ‭that‭ I brought them up‭‭ out of the land‭ of Egypt‭, ‭even‭ unto this day‭, rising early‭‭ and protesting‭‭, saying‭‭, Obey‭‭ my voice‭.‭ ‭Yet they obeyed‭‭ not, nor inclined‭‭ their ear‭, but walked‭‭ every one‭ in the imagination‭ of their evil‭ heart‭: therefore I will bring‭‭ upon them all the words‭ of this covenant‭, which I commanded‭‭ ‭them‭ to do‭‭; but they did‭‭ ‭them‭ not,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Jeremiah 11:6-8.

The Lord carried on His protests in this instance for a period of some 883 years, from the Exodus to the date of the 11th chapter of Jeremiah. Yet we have those who say that the protests of the Free Presbyterian Church should cease after merely some 20 years!

Why? Has the devil changed? Has sin changed? Above all, has the Lord changed?

5. That urged upon the people of God some 2000 years ago is still in force today.

“‭Y‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭e should earnestly contend‭‭ for the faith‭ which was once‭ delivered‭‭ unto the saints‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Jude 1:3.

If there was a need for protests 50 years ago, that need has multiplied greatly. The great apostasy with its blasphemous defiance of God utter contempt for the Holy Scriptures has broken out, almost without restraint all around us.

Professing ‘Christian’ denominations harbour and promote every device of the devil that God has condemned.

Our nation has turned its back on God as is evidenced by a recent report of those with our Parliament who are campaigning for the abandoning of the practice of prayer before the sitting of Parliament. The National Secular Society’s call to: ‘Abolish prayers from House of Commons,’ is supported nay many, especially within the Labour Party.

Now I have no high view of the benefits of reciting prayers in the perfunctory fashion that is doubtless adopted in Parliament, but at least the exercise does indicate that a seeking of God for His blessing upon the affairs of Parliament is very necessary, even if that duty is carried out in a manner which is far short of how prayer ought to be offered!

Yes, strong protests are still required of the Lord, irrespective of the objections of those who put first their perceived standing in the eyes of those whose favour and esteem they covet!

6. I wonder what Barnabas said to John? Did he rebuke him as he ought to have done? Or did he, out of consideration of family ties, hold back on reproving John and thus, by his silence, lend him support for his folly? It is significant that no record is given us of the response of Barnabas.

I am inclined to think that he did act in weakness toward John that and this is suggested by the sentiments he later displayed in the verses at the head of this article.

III. IT MUST BE STATED THAT PAUL WAS NOT A CRUEL AND UNFORGIVING MAN.

1. His refusal to have John accompany them on his second missionary journey was not born of bitter resentment of the previous actions of John Mark. No, such a spirit is not evidenced at any time in the life of Paul. He was a man showed a love for the people of God, second only to the Saviour Himself, I believe I can say.

2. He suffered patiently submitted to trials inflicted upon him, often times by those he longed to serve in the cause of God. He says himself: “‭Giving‭‭ no‭ offence‭ in‭ any thing‭, that‭‭ the ministry‭ be‭‭ not‭ blamed‭‭:‭ ‭but‭ in‭ all‭ ‭things‭ approving‭‭ ourselves‭ as‭ the ministers‭ of God‭, in‭ much‭ patience‭, in‭ afflictions‭, in‭ necessities‭, in‭ distresses‭,‭ ‭in‭ stripes‭, in‭ imprisonments‭, in‭ tumults‭, in‭ labours‭, in‭ watchings‭, in‭ fastings‭;‭ ‭by‭ pureness‭, by‭ knowledge‭, by‭ longsuffering‭, by‭ kindness‭, by‭ the Holy‭ Ghost‭, by‭ love‭ unfeigned‭,‭ ‭by‭ the word‭ of truth‭, by‭ the power‭ of God‭, by‭ the armour‭ of righteousness‭ on the right hand‭ and‭ on the left‭,‭ ‭by‭ honour‭ and‭ dishonour‭, by‭ evil report‭ and‭ good report‭: as‭ deceivers‭, and‭ ‭yet‭ true‭;‭ ‭as‭ unknown‭‭, and‭ ‭yet‭ well known‭‭; as‭ dying‭‭, and‭, behold‭‭, we live‭‭; as‭ chastened‭‭, and‭ not‭ killed‭‭;‭ ‭as‭ sorrowful‭‭, yet‭ alway‭ rejoicing‭‭; as‭ poor‭, yet‭ making‭‭ many‭ rich‭‭; as‭ having‭‭ nothing‭, and‭ ‭yet‭ possessing‭‭ all things‭.‭ ‭O ‭ye‭ Corinthians‭, our‭ mouth‭ is open‭‭ unto‭ you‭, our‭ heart‭ is enlarged‭‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 2 Corinthians 6:3-11.

3. Please remember this account of the love and patience of the apostle is inspired of God and is not a ‘human self-praising exaggeration’!

In his last epistle to Timothy Paul refers to John Mark. “‭‭‭‭‭‭‭Take‭‭ Mark‭, and bring him‭‭ with‭ thee‭: for‭ he is‭‭ profitable‭ to me‭ for‭ the ministry‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 2 Timothy 4:11. Here’s no harbouring of resentment but a happy acknowledgement that John Mark had once more become ‘profitable’ or ‘useful’. He had ceased to be such back in Acts 13 but, doubtless, in some measure as a result of Paul’s prayers, he had been restored to usefulness and to the company of Paul.

IV. ONE FINAL THING I WOULD HAVE ALL NOTICE.

The mention of Barnabas in Acts 15:39 is the last we hear of him in the record of the advance of the gospel as recorded in the ‘Acts of the Apostles’!

Barnabas disappears from view!

Confirmation

Is this not a dreadful confirmation that he made a most serious and costly error in putting family interests first?

Was he not wrong in trying to justify and ameliorate the wrong-doing of his nephew, John Mark?

This sad ‘disappearance’ of men from the front line of the work of God has occurred many times. If men put self-interest and family honour, be it that of a son or a daughter, before the

Lord, then they cease to be of use to God!

The Saviour demands still unreserved love and obedience.

“‭He that loveth‭‭ father‭ or‭ mother‭ more than‭ me‭ is‭‭ not‭ worthy‭ of me‭: and‭ he that loveth‭‭ son‭ or‭ daughter‭ more than‭ me‭ is‭‭ not‭ worthy‭ of me‭.‭ ‭And‭ he‭ that taketh‭‭ not‭ his‭ cross‭, and‭ followeth‭‭ after‭ me‭, is‭‭ not‭ worthy‭ of me‭.‭ ‭He that findeth‭‭ his‭ life‭ shall lose‭‭ it‭: and‭ he that loseth‭‭ his‭ life‭ for my‭ sake‭ shall find‭‭ it‭,” ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Matthew 10:37-39.

To be able to so love the Saviour requires a death to self! Paul shows us the way.

“‭I am crucified‭‭ with Christ‭: nevertheless‭ I live‭‭; yet not‭ I‭, but‭ Christ‭ liveth‭‭ in‭ me‭: and‭ the life which‭ I‭‭ now‭ live‭‭ in‭ the flesh‭ I live‭‭ by‭ the faith‭ of the Son‭ of God‭, who‭ loved‭‭ me‭, and‭ gave‭‭ himself‭ for‭ me‭,‭”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Galatians 2:20.

I can recall days when such words as these were constantly and earnestly pondered and the experience of them prayerfully sought.

May such days come upon us again.

Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)