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Let Goods and Kindred Go

A devotional by John Piper for reading on September 22nd

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. ( Hebrews 10:32 32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye endured a great conflict of sufferings; –35)

The Christians in Hebrews 10:32 32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye endured a great conflict of sufferings; –35 have earned the right to teach us about costly love.

The situation appears to be this: In the early days of their conversion, some of them were imprisoned for the faith. The others were confronted with a difficult choice: Shall we go underground and stay “safe,” or shall we visit our brothers and sisters in prison and risk our lives and property? They chose the way of love and accepted the cost.

“For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property.”

But were they losers? No. They lost property and gained joy! They joyfully accepted the loss.

In one sense, they denied themselves. But in another, they did not. They chose the way of joy. Evidently, these Christians were motivated for prison ministry the same way the Macedonians (of 2 Corinthians 8:1 Chapter 8 1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia; –9) were motivated to relieve the poor. Their joy in God overflowed in love for others.

They looked at their own lives and said, “The steadfast love of the Lord is better than life” (see Psalms 63:3 3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise thee. ).

They looked at all their possessions and said, “We have a possession in heaven that is better and lasts longer than any of this” ( Hebrews 10:34 34 For ye both had compassion on them that were in bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of you possessions, knowing that ye have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one. ).

Then they looked at each other and said:

Let goods and kindred go This mortal life also The body they may kill God’s truth abideth still His kingdom is forever (Martin Luther)



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