A Steadfast Heart
Dear Christian, Let us not shrink back into the ways of this world. Jesus said, “No man, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” In the moments leading up to this statement, Jesus had been traveling, attracting many individuals who expressed a desire to follow Him. They recognized the significance of His teachings and noted His growing popularity throughout Judea and beyond. Eager to seize the opportunity for personal gain, they approached Him with various questions. Yet, when confronted with the reality of His presence, they began to realize that they had not fully counted the cost of discipleship.
They offered excuses for why they could not leave everything behind to pursue eternal life. Lacking a true understanding of the sin intricately woven into their very beings, they remained unaware that, apart from a Savior, they were eternally lost and under God’s wrath. One man, in particular, was preoccupied with the need to return home to say goodbye to his family. This revealed that his heart was not genuinely committed to following Christ. His request to go back highlighted a desire to maintain personal ties and responsibilities before fully dedicating himself to Jesus. In response, Jesus declared, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
This verse underscores the necessity of total dedication and commitment to following Christ. The imagery of plowing illustrates the focus and determination required in God’s work. Just as a farmer must keep his eyes forward to ensure straight and effective rows while plowing, a disciple must not look back or allow past concerns and distractions to impede their commitment to the kingdom of God. Remember, Jesus did not come to offer us a perfect life here; this life is fleeting, tainted by the effects of sin.
Instead, He came to redeem us from eternal judgment by fulfilling the heavenly law that demands perfection. He bore the wrath of God on our behalf so that we might share in His righteousness. When Jesus was punished for our sins on the cross, God was vindicated, and the law was satisfied. Furthermore, when God raised His Son from the dead, Jesus was vindicated, securing our redemption. The resurrection stands as irrefutable evidence that God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Consequently, the righteousness of Christ has been credited to our account, making it as if we have never sinned, for whom the Son sets free, is free indeed.
For those of us who profess faith in Christ, we must guard against allowing our eyes to wander towards the lusts and desires of this world. We need to be mindful of the dangers to our hearts as we might be tempted to return to the things that once held us captive. We cannot loosen our grip on the gospel plow while simultaneously nurturing our fleshly desires, especially until the day we enter the grave and are welcomed into Heaven by Jesus Christ. Let us take a moment to remember Lot’s wife: she was escaping God’s judgment upon Sodom, yet her heart yearned to return to its corruptions, and looking back led to her demise.
Make no mistake, no one can serve two masters; one will be devoted to one and despise the other. There will always be inner conflict regarding which master is superior. Beloved of God, if Jesus is our portion, let us never look back or engage in worldly affairs with covetous hearts. Instead, let us seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all things will be added to us. Take time to examine your heart: do you truly love Him? Is He your deepest desire? At the end of the day, does it matter most to you that you have honored Him? Is your heart consistently led to repentance because of your profound love for Him? Ultimately, when the dirt covers your body in the grave, there is only one question that truly matters: have you been justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?
“But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Luke 9:62 NASBS