To Follow Jesus You Must Give Up Your Rights

My Utmost For His Highest

“A missionary is someone in whom the Holy Spirit has brought about this realization: “You are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19). To say, “I am not my own,” is to have reached a high point in my spiritual stature. The true nature of that life in actual everyday confusion is evidenced by the deliberate giving up of myself to another Person through a sovereign decision, and that Person is Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit interprets and explains the nature of Jesus to me to make me one with my Lord, not that I might simply become a trophy for His showcase. Our Lord never sent any of His disciples out on the basis of what He had done for them. It was not until after the resurrection, when the disciples had perceived through the power of the Holy Spirit who Jesus really was, that He said, “Go” […] “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26). He was not saying that this person cannot be good and upright, but that he cannot be someone over whom Jesus can write the word Mine. […] The missionary’s secret is truly being able to say, “I am His, and He is accomplishing His work and His purposes through me.” CHAMBERS

If you are indeed Jesus' disciple, then there is not room for “you” in your life.  What you do, how you treat people, your relationship with those close to you .. it is all driven by your relationship with Jesus.  “If any(one) comes after Me, let him deny himself, pick up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24) You must say no to self and yes to Jesus.  I would tell my Haitian friends “Si Bondye di alé, ou alé”  If God says go, you go.  Does that sound irresponsible?  In your natural thinking perhaps, but why would you imagine that the Lord would not know about your situation?  But total surrender is easier said than done.  There is a problem.  Self is always lurking in the shadows.  Waiting for the opportunity to step in and assert himself. When you are serving the Lord, no matter where you might be serving .. in your home, at work, or on the mission field … there is not room for carnal thinking or carnal behavior.   You must stop making excuses for it and look to Jesus.  You make the decision to follow and Jesus gives you the strength to follow.  Many people try to be His disciples on their own power.  If that is the path you are on, the best you can expect is hypocrisy.  Not much of an aspiration when you think about it, is it?  ELGIN

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)