Mathew 5:1 MSG | “When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions.”

Jesus didn’t bother with the crowd. When He saw them coming, he rather, deliberately climbed the mountain, to see who would make effort to climb with Him. It was His disciples – ‘those who were apprenticed to him, and committed to Him, that climbed with him.’ It referred to them as ‘His climbing companions’. They were the ones He taught.

Sometimes, in our bid to reach the world, we cheapen the word. We cast precious pearls to swines. We lower God’s standard. We go out of our way to make provision for the flesh by seducing and enticing people who have no place in their hearts for God. As much as Jesus loved the rich young ruler, He didn’t call him back when he fell His test, because He knew that like in Demas, it’d backfire someday.

Anyone who’s not committed to, and led by the Word is of the world. Receive the grace to discern value in yourself, in others, and in your God.