…though the more abundantly I
love you, the less I am loved. —2 Corinthians 12:15
“Natural human love expects
something in return. But Paul is saying, “It doesn’t really matter to me
whether you love me or not. I am willing to be completely destitute anyway;
willing to be poverty-stricken, not just for your sakes, but also that I may be
able to get you to God.” “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that
though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor…” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
And Paul’s idea of service was the same as our Lord’s. He did not care how high
the cost was to himself— he would gladly pay it. It was a joyful thing to Paul.
[…] The real test of a saint is not one’s willingness to preach the gospel, but
one’s willingness to do something like washing the disciples’ feet— that is,
being willing to do those things that seem unimportant in human estimation but
count as everything to God. It was Paul’s delight to spend his life for God’s
interests in other people, and he did not care what it cost. But before we will
serve, we stop to ponder our personal and financial concerns— “What if God
wants me to go over there? And what about my salary? What is the climate like
there? Who will take care of me? A person must consider all these things.” All
that is an indication that we have reservations about serving God.” CHAMBERS
How important is it to you
that the people around find salvation in Jesus? Really. How important is it? Is it important enough to show them Jesus
through your own life? Are you primarily
focused on yourself and surviving? Think
about it. What motivates you in terms of
how you interact with others? Must they
treat you well first? What you say, how
you say it, what you do, how you do it .. do they shout “I am redeemed and Jesus
is my Lord” to the world or “I am just like you struggling to survive, to get
through the day, and I will treat you just like you treat me .. or worse.”? A danger for all of us is that we live a
fantasy life as Christians. In our minds
and imagination we are faithful children of God, but in reality we are just
like the unforgiving servant. (Matthew
18:21-35) Wanting forgiveness from
God .. wanting grace and mercy .. wanting love and kindness from God .. but are
unwilling to give it to others. Do you treat
other people harshly and feel justified .. thinking they get what they deserve? Aren’t you glad you don’t get what you
deserve? Think about it. ELGIN
“Redeemed” Big
Daddy Weave
I am redeemed, You set me
free So I'll shake off theses heavy chains Wipe away every stain now I'm not
who I used to be …. I am redeemed
Seems like all I can see was
the struggle Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past Bound up in shackles of
all my failures Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then You look at this
prisoner and say to me "son Stop fighting a fight that's already been
won"
All my life I have been
called unworthy Named by the voice of my shame and regret But when I hear You
whisper, "Child lift up your head" I remember oh God, You're not done
with me yet
I don't have to be the old
man inside of me 'Cause his day is long dead and gone I've got a new name, a
new life I'm not the same And a hope that will carry me home
Charley Elgin
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