So many believers take their walk with the Lord so lightly that when some truths are preached, they start looking for contradictory verses in the Word because they would rather think it is a manipulation from the preacher who wants them to be more committed or to give more of their time, talents or money. When someone does not want to give to God through a local church or by helping people, the main excuse they always put forward is that their body is the temple of God, so they don’t need to be committed in a local church. Now, let me tell you that being committed to Jesus does not mean you have to go to all church services… it is “lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (1 John 3:16) and this can be done at your work place, in your family, etc… And when you look at the first Christians, the Bible says, they always brought what they had to share altogether. My brother, my sister, the devil IS a liar and if you think you don’t have to give yourself, your time, your money or your talent, then you are lying to yourself. Today’s verse tells us an event that will happen when Jesus returns: “then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads” (verse 1). My friend, do you know who these people are?
These people are TRUE believers who have endured persecutions and hardships for the Lord on earth and now are ready to enjoy the eternal benefits and blessings of life with God forever. The Bible says: “These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb” (verse 4). In other words, those are the believers who kept themselves pure as virgins by keeping themselves away from involving in the pagan world system (they resisted the thirst for power, running after wealth or self-comfort, and sexual immorality for example). My friend, to do so requires daily application of the Word of God, for it has a purifying effect on your mind and heart.
Now, let me tell you one thing these people did that the Lord expects you to do too if you are a true believer: “they follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb” (verse 4). My friend, are you following the Lamb wherever He goes? Have you realised that you were purchased at a high price? Do you offer offer yourself as a firstfruit to God and the Lamb?
You see, following Christ, the Lamb “wherever He goes” requires great effort from you on a daily basis. Too many people shrink back when the work becomes difficult or the future looks bleak. Yet, we are all expected to join those who take their stand with Christ and against sin in this world and dedicate our lives as a “special offering” to make the Kingdom of God move forward in this world. Yes, it may be hard to hear it, especially if you only content yourself with going to church services and nothing else. But here is the truth: “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created” (James 1:18)! God created you and sent Jesus to die on the cross for you, and today you are living in Christ… Thus, He expects nothing from you except from true dedication to Him and to Jesus. And this dedication is whole: He wants the first fruit of all you receive, He wants the first fruit of your life… That is what following Jesus is! Stay blessed in Jesus’ name.