Morning Thoughts - by Elder Philip Conley

Morning Thoughts Back

Luke 9:62, "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

This morning, there are many of the Lord's children that are not walking circumspectly before their Father as they ought. In fact, the vast majority of the children of God are not disciples of Christ. There are many different excuses given by people for not going to church, labouring in the Lord's vineyard, and seeking after the truth of God's word. Many use their jobs, families, possessions, or other things as an excuse. To follow after the Lord requires that we follow after JOY. Jesus is first, Others second, Yourself last.

Jesus declares on this occasion that someone is unfit for the kingdom if they are looking back on the things of the world. While we do have to look upon them, we should never look back upon them, as there is a great difference. Our jobs require attention, our families need care, but no natural thing should take our eyes off the One who ascended into heaven. We look toward the place from whence our help comes. We press on toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of Christ.

I am reminded of a field that I used to pass on a regular basis. This field had rows that were perhaps a half mile long or more. For about the first 80-90% of the distance, the rows were straight as an arrow. But, the final stretch had a bend in each one of them. An old deacon (and farmer) told me that that farmer was centering his attention in front of him for the majority of the journey, but looked back at the last moment to see how he was coming. Therefore, we should never look back to see how we are coming, but always look ahead to the perfect One and His example.

These are things that we will never fully accomplish, but our Lord told us to be perfect as our Father which is in heaven is perfect. He told us to be perfect so that we would have no room to justify our behaviour. We cannot say, "Well I have done pretty good, and I am certainly better than those that I know." That is the attitude of the Pharisee, but we should always acknowledge that we have come short, and that we need to do better.

Finally, I have heard many say in the past that our loved ones gone on before us are looking down on us right now. To this I ponder the question, "If we are not to look back here in time, why in the world would we look back when we are up there?" To be fit for the Lord's kingdom here on earth, we must look ahead. In heaven I think all would agree that the Lord has made us fit. Our souls and spirits are regenerated here in time, and one day, He will glorify our bodies into the fashion of His Dear Son. So, we are fitted in heaven, and I boldly declare that there is NO looking back. With Jesus manifestly in front of us, there is no other place that we would desire to gaze upon. Ever speed that day when we can behold Him with these eyes and not another’s.

In Hope,

Bro Philip