Jesus Christ has declared that “no man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). The Greek word for “serve” here is a word that means to be a slave to something or someone. So, I pose a question to you who are reading this article. Whose slave are you?
In the context of our Scriptures today, the choice was either The Living God or mammon, which could refer to money or materialism. But there are countless “rivals” to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, aren’t there? How far are we to take these words of Jesus? Allow Him to speak for Himself. “ ‘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.’ ” (Luke 14:26) That’s hitting pretty close to home isn’t it?
Remember the response of Jesus to the rich young ruler’s question about inheriting eternal life? “…‘One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’ And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.” (Mark 10:21,22) This man was a slave to his possessions; thus, there was no room for The Master Himself.
Do I dare probe deeper into our hearts? Are there “acceptable” rivals in your heart within the church itself? Impossible? Think again! Do you remember the words that Paul wrote to the church at Corinth who were arguing over who “the best teacher” was? “Every one of you saith, ‘I am of Paul’; and ‘I of Apollos’; and ‘I of Cephas’; and ‘I of Christ’. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:12,13) There were saints who were so enamored with men that God raised up to bless them, that they were more attached to them than to The Master Himself.
Jesus Christ will not share your heart with ANY pastor, teacher, etc. There is simply no room for two masters in one heart.
What about my life? How far do I take Jesus’ words? Listen to Paul: “… I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:8). Listen to Asaph: “Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” (Psalm 73:25,26) Reader, what or who is your master passion in life? Remember what Jesus said: “No man can serve two masters”. Selah.
