Journal of Faith: Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling Philippians 2:12

I don't do negative name calling in my home.  I Believe that to call someone something is either a blessing or a curse depending on how you identify them, and in many cases children become a version of what you call them. When I named my children I considered their names carefully so that each time that I would call them I would be declaring something good about them.  No one that I know of in their right mind likes being called out of their name (being called something that they don't prefer).  Neither does anyone that I know of in their right mind want to be called the bad things that they have done or experienced.  I believe that it is necessary call out events (recognize the truth of situations) and behaviors both positive and negative (recognize the choices that are being made) so that we can grow and/or celebrate, but it is never our job to call out people (make a conclusion concerning their worth). I would even venture to say  that this includes ourselves...

Luke 9 is a thick chapter of scripture full of healing, revelation, and miracles.  In these verses you'll find success and failure, faith and fear.  The thing that sticks in my heart the most is the challenge.  Luke 9:60-62 depicts some quick exchanges with men who were challenged to join Jesus on his journey.  The first man wanted to join Jesus but he wanted to resolve his father's death first, and the second was called by Jesus but wanted to go back home to say goodbye to his family first.  Jesus did not mince words when he said that they were not fit for the kingdom.  Jesus put it this way, " No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" Luke 9:62.   This statement causes me to ask some questions "What does it mean to be fit for the kingdom?"  "What Kingdom?"  "Am I fit for the kingdom?" What does it mean to be fit for the kingdom?  Well, if I look at the example that Jesus gave i...