THE TRUE, HARD WORK: The work of the Christian is not living right, doing right, or being righteous. These things are a by product, or the outflow of the true work. The truth is that we would like to spend more time on right living than right relationship. Its much easier for me to clean the outside of the glass than it is to fill it with the presence of the Lord. What good use is an empty glass? A vessel such as this was designed for a purpose! Relational prayer, and contemplation upon His Word is the hard work. In that I will come to the reality that redemption is His goal. Not only my redemption but the rest of humanity as well. Oswald Chambers puts it this way: Paul did not say that he separated himself, but “when it pleased God, who separated me . . .” (Galatians 1:15). Paul was not overly interested in his own character. And as long as our eyes are focused on our own personal holiness, we will never even get close to the full reality of redemption. Christian workers fail because they place their desire for their own holiness above their desire to know God. “Don’t ask me to be confronted with the strong reality of redemption on behalf of the filth of human life surrounding me today; what I want is anything God can do for me to make me more desirable in my own eyes.” To talk that way is a sign that the reality of the gospel of God has not begun to touch me. There is no reckless abandon to God in that. God cannot deliver me while my interest is merely in my own character. Paul was not conscious of himself. He was recklessly abandoned, totally surrendered, and separated by God for one purpose— to proclaim the gospel of God (see Romans 9:3).
Posted on: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 13:20:54 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015