¹⁴ What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14-17)

Message: A vision without works behind it, is only a dream.

There are many things that we desire to attain in life, regardless of our economic status and/or background but, the differences between “the haves” and the “have nots” are our work ethics. How long and hard are we willing to work, what are we willing to sacrifice, and how long we’re willing to suffer and fight to attain our goals and dreams reveals “how bad” we want it. Some of us have a stronger drive towards exercising and becoming more fit and healthier, some of us work harder than others towards reaching certain financial and academic goals, and a few may push themselves to give above average in every area of their life because they’re perfectionists. No matter what our reasons are, when we have a certain vision for our lives, we will push ourselves [our body] to make that dream and that desire a reality.

With that being said, we know that it would be impossible to expect to reach said goal(s) without hard work, sacrifice, determination and motivation. So many want to reach higher levels, “climb the ladder” but, aren’t willing to put in the work or make the necessary adjustments and sacrifices in their life to reach that level of success they say they desire. Our words must align with our actions and sometimes that requires making some sacrifices. [We’re going to get into, soon, how all of this applies to The Kingdom of Heaven]

What are the sacrifices?

Rest. Many of us love to sleep. If you ask some people, they’ll tell you they’ll sacrifice food & other things of pleasure and comfort, just to get more sleep. Our body depends on rest to thrive and not just to survive. [Quoted] “Rest is vital for better mental health, increased concentration and memory, a healthier immune system, reduced stress, improved mood and even a better metabolism…Rest is any behavior aimed at increasing physical or mental well-being. Sleep, on the other hand, is a body-mind state in which individuals experience sensory detachment from our surroundings. Sleep is an essential function of the body and impacts every system from our cognitive function to immune health. Quality sleep can help us reset, recover and recharge. It’s absolutely vital to brain function, memory, concentration, immune health and metabolism. Unlike rest, sleep is something your body cannot function without. In fact, if you are sleep deprived, your body will force you to sleep, no matter what you’re in the middle of. ” I know culture is always talking about “grinding and hustling” but, that IS NOT what the bible tells us because the Lord knows that is not in our body’s best interest.

Matthew 11:28-30 ESV “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Psalm 127:2 ESV “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”

Hebrews 4:9-11 ESV “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.”

Time. Depending on how bad we want something and how determined and motivated we are to get it, we will sacrifice our leisure time and time away from the people we love, who love us back. Our tunnel vision only allows us to see the road ahead more so than what’s around us. However, time is very valuable, and we must use our time wisely because once it’s gone, we can never get it back. Who and what we sacrifice our time for, is gravely important.

Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil”

Matthew 6:33 ESV “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 ESV “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;”

Comfort. In order to reach certain levels, we have to know that it’s going to come with some level of discomfort. We may have to go through painful transitions, spiritually and emotionally, that includes but not limited to; leaving familiar places and faces, we may have to get rid of [things], habits and patterns that we love but aren’t beneficial to us and our purpose. For example, if you desire to become healthier, you can’t do whatever you want to your body just because you can. You have to be disciplined enough to set parameters/boundaries in your life.

1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. [KJV] All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

1 Corinthians 10:23 TPT (The Passion Translation) You say, “Under grace there are no rules and we’re free to do anything we please.” Not exactly. Because not everything promotes growth in others. Your slogan, “We’re allowed to do anything we choose,” may be true—but not everything causes the spiritual advancement of others.

The Final Words

Think about all that’s required to become successful in the world and within our personal lives; now apply all of that to The Kingdom of Heaven. It profits us nothing to gain the success of the world and then lose our soul [refer to Mark 8:36]. In the same manner, work ethics are required if Heaven is our goal [refer to John 14:12]. The greatest sacrifice we have to make to God is, OURSELVES [refer to Romans 12:1-2] We can’t get access to the Kingdom half doing the work required to get there. You want the palace but are you making the sacrifices to get there? The Lord is gracious and merciful but there are no free passes. We can’t expect to reach a specific destination and not follow the routes and directions to arrive there. God knows what we’re capable of doing. If we can sacrifice rest to earn more money and worldly things then we can sacrifice rest to wake up early and pray (Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.; 1 Thess. 5:17 “Pray without ceasing”), if we can diet and train our mind and body to exercise, then we can train our mind to fast and separate ourselves from the things of the world [because there’s a GREATER goal and a destination in our view] (Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [refer also to 1Cor.10:13; Heb. 2:18; Heb.12:1; James 4:7;]) and if we’re willing to fight, “hustle” and be uncomfortable while accomplishing all of our earthly goals, why do so many of us expect everything to be easy and handed to us when it pertains to reaching Heaven and heavenly goals? Nobody told us that this journey would be easy. We have to fight many oppositions, jump many hurdles and cry many tears in order to reach the Kingdom but, 1st question, are you up for the challenge? Pain comes with progress and purpose. We CAN NOT birth without some form of pain. If we’re passionate enough about what we want and/or who we want, then the answer will be “YES!”, without a second thought. Likewise, nothing (including excuses) would be able to separate us from God and getting closer to Him when we yearn for His presence; his touch [refer to Romans 8:38-39] Now the 2nd question becomes, how bad do you want it/Him?

Philippians 1:29 “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,”

1 Peter 3:17  “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”

Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

1 Peter 4:1 “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,”

Romans 8:17 “And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”