Undisputed — Over All The Earth - Thursday
Today’s Verse
James 3:17-18
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (ESV)
While reading on elisabethelliot.org, I revisited the story of Jim Elliot, a missionary to the Ecuadorian jungle, who served there with his wife Elisabeth and their children. On January 8th, 1956, while attempting to make contact with the people of the Auca (now Waodani) tribe, Jim and four other missionaries were speared to death, killed by the very people they came to minister to.
A famous quote from Jim’s journal captures the heart of his life and ministry:
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
Elisabeth later moved, along with their young daughter, to this very village to live among the people who had killed him. She helped transform that village and even had one of the tribesmen travel to the United States and live with them. If you want to learn more about Jim Elliot and his family, you can read Through Gates of Splendor.
Matthew 16:25 says, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” God’s gift of salvation is always free, but as Christians, it does cost us something. Let’s pay the price and follow Him. You will gain way more than you will ever give up.
REFLECTION
The Gospel is the greatest gift ever given. Who needs to hear it from you? What’s one step you can take this week to make sure they do?