To unbelievers it seems ridiculous to turns one's life completely over to God. For the new believer it may not be ludicrous, but certainly disconcerting. How does one exist successfully in the world system while trusting God?
The answer involves re-evaluating our definition of success. Success in God's economy means obedient submission and surrender to Jesus as Lord. Since He has overcome the world, (John 16:33) as believers in Christ we have the opportunity for similar victory. (1 John 5:5)
These promises leave us with the legitimate option of walking with the world for ourselves, or in the world in step with God for His purpose. We can live merely as citizens of the world, or in the world as ambassadors for His kingdom. The decision is really that simple, and once we make the right choice the challenge is in how we succeed in self-denial relative to living for Christ.
Onward Christian soldiers!
November 10
Fellowship in the Gospel
. . . fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ . . . —1 Thessalonians 3:2
Fellowship in the Gospel
. . . fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ . . . —1 Thessalonians 3:2
After sanctification, it is difficult to state what your purpose in life is, because God has moved you into His purpose through the Holy Spirit. He is using you now for His purposes throughout the world as He used His Son for the purpose of our salvation. If you seek great things for yourself, thinking, "God has called me for this and for that," you barricade God from using you. As long as you maintain your own personal interests and ambitions, you cannot be completely aligned or identified with God’s interests. This can only be accomplished by giving up all of your personal plans once and for all, and by allowing God to take you directly into His purpose for the world. Your understanding of your ways must also be surrendered, because they are now the ways of the Lord.
I must learn that the purpose of my life belongs to God, not me. God is using me from His great personal perspective, and all He asks of me is that I trust Him. I should never say, "Lord, this causes me such heartache." To talk that way makes me a stumbling block. When I stop telling God what I want, He can freely work His will in me without any hindrance. He can crush me, exalt me, or do anything else He chooses. He simply asks me to have absolute faith in Him and His goodness. Self-pity is of the devil, and if I wallow in it I cannot be used by God for His purpose in the world. Doing this creates for me my own cozy "world within the world," and God will not be allowed to move me from it because of my fear of being "frost-bitten."
Amen!
"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." Matthew 16:24
