Thursday, August 4, 2016

Christian Success Is Not By Cleverness Of Wit Or A Gifted Tongue But By His Spirit

My Utmost For His Highest
 
He took the twelve aside… —Luke 18:31
 
“Do you say, “But He has been unwise to choose me, because there is nothing good in me and I have no value”? That is exactly why He chose you. As long as you think that you are of value to Him He cannot choose you, because you have purposes of your own to serve. […] We tend to say that because a person has natural ability, he will make a good Christian. It is not a matter of our equipment, but a matter of our poverty; not of what we bring with us, but of what God puts into us; not a matter of natural virtues, of strength of character, of knowledge, or of experience— all of that is of no avail in this concern. The only thing of value is being taken into the compelling purpose of God and being made His friends (see 1 Corinthians 1:26-31). […] As Christians we are not here for our own purpose at all— we are here for the purpose of God, and the two are not the same. […] The most important aspect of Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the surrounding influence and qualities produced by that relationship.”  CHAMBERS
 
I was speaking with a co-worker just yesterday about a friend of theirs.  It seems that friend as gone to Tanzania, with his wife, to serve as missionaries.  In fact it is their intent to stay in Tanzania for another three or four years.  We were discussing the fact that the missionary friend was preaching to the people using a translator.  The missionary had not done any public speaking before and my co-worker seemed to be surprised that his friend was preaching.  The question led to a discussion about the work of the Holy Spirit.  (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)  “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”  Paul was aware that the power behind what he said was not his mastery of the language and communication techniques learned in seminary or toast-masters, but the very Spirit of God.  I explained  (Zechariah 4:6) “Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” That what the missionary was doing was not by his own power.  The secret to communicating the Gospel and spiritual truth was not eloquence but submission.
 
I often tell people that the only thing I can take credit for with respect our exploits on the mission field is saying “yes” to God.  We cannot and should not take credit for something someone else has done.  And so it is with the work of the Spirit and the power of God.  As a Christian, you are on a spiritual journey.  Be careful to not lose sight of that, and more do not deceive yourself by thinking that somehow, it is you that has wrought the fruit of your labor. Like my co-worker, the world may watch and marvel at what they see in you.  Be careful to not rob God and see that God receives the glory.  CHARLEY

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