Serving God is not a competition

Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:25–30)

John was truly humble. He could have envied what Jesus was doing. He could have taken credit for pointing others to Him. He could have boasted that God had sent him to do this important task. Yet he did not have “I” problems that reveal self-centered pride. He knew that the root of pride is saying that we can do without God. He also knew that pride is sin.

C. S. Lewis said: “The most obvious fact about praise escaped me for the longest…” pointing to the fact that we are created in His image and made to reflect that image to the world. It is why we exist, and this is not just about Christian service:

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:31–33)

Pride thinks I know best, that I can do it myself, that I am adequate. This is not a description of Abraham who is the father of faith:

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. (Romans 4:20–25)

How to do it? First trust Him for everything and give Him glory by recognizing and publicly acknowledging His supreme worth and significance. Ascribe weight to Him, calling accurate public attention to His importance and proclaiming what He is and does. This is my fundamental purpose — to please, honor, and bring glory to my Creator and in every dimension of life, even eating and drinking.

It also means honoring Him above myself, and putting Him on display in both small and significant matters far deeper than religious expression, but in how I speak, work, what I wear and eat, how I care for myself and others, how I use the skills He gave me, and tell others how He cares for me.
All creation exists “from Him and through Him and to Him,” so I exist for His glory and through Christ’s life and death, with ultimate aim toward God’s glory. His grace is not meant to honor me nor is His glory is some sort of cosmic egotism. Instead it reveals Him with the goal to magnify human desire to know Him and be saved, like John said. He must increase, but I must decrease.

Jesus, I understand this by the difference I see in others when I tell of my achievements or when I point to You as the reason for anything good in my life. No one wants to be like me, but when I glorify You they seem drawn to You — with the hope that they can trust You and know Your grace and blessings. If I can be an expert in anything, it is the willingness and ability to decrease while You increase in all that I think, say, and do.

 

Loving? Or showing off?

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 
Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 
And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” 
And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” 
“A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 
Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” 
And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 
Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 
And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:36–50)

Learning the difference between loving and selfishness doesn’t always seem so obvious. However, I’ve often said I could have various motivations for taking a fresh pie to a new comer. I could genuinely welcome them to the neighborhood, or just want to show off my pie-baking skills. Or I could invite a movie star, or a local politician, or a pastor over for dinner to show off my house or cooking or whatever, or I could be invited by such a person for whatever their reasons and go to boast about it. I’ve eaten with famous writers, so I know I can boast about that. Sigh. Or I could be genuinely interested to know them, or meet their needs, or simple care and love them. 

One motivation is all about self. The other demonstrates that I’ve realized I am nothing yet God has forgiven my sin and changed my life. Simple. Or is it?

Most Christians struggle with “I” problems and the older we get, the deeper the struggle. We have learned the power of prayer and the devil knows if he can toss a sin in the mix, God will work on that issue instead of what I’m praying for. My godliness is more of a priority to Him than whatever I think is important.

The Pharisees asked who is this one who forgives sins. They should have wondered why they did not love Him as much as this sinful woman loved Him and what needed to happen so their sin was forgiven.

Oh Jesus, I know that You love me. Why You do is not about me for I am nothing and not worthy. The why is who You are, the God who wants me to live for You because that is the best way for me to live. Your blessings are all about who You are, not who I am.

Praise God, not me…

And you have seen all that the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for it is the Lord your God who has fought for you. Behold, I have allotted to you as an inheritance for your tribes those nations that remain, along with all the nations that I have already cut off, from the Jordan to the Great Sea in the west. The Lord your God will push them back before you and drive them out of your sight. And you shall possess their land, just as the Lord your God promised you. Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day. For the Lord has driven out before you great and strong nations. And as for you, no man has been able to stand before you to this day. One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you. Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God. For if you turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make marriages with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you, but they shall be a snare and a trap for you, a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good ground that the Lord your God has given you. (Joshua 23:3–13)

Before opening my Bible, I sing worship songs. Today, one of them was “Count Your Blessings” and this reading tells me how to lose them and how to retain them.

Losing them has been easy. Disobedience does it. So does being more aligned with the goals and ideals of this world than with God. Instead of clinging to Him, if I think those gods are more important, or even if I assume I can be ‘godly’ by my own efforts, the blessings slip away. Not that they are gone completely, but my ability to enjoy them or even count them alludes me. I’m thinking more about what I don’t have than what I do have.

Last night someone told me of presenting an unusual solution to a difficult problem. He was surprised that it was accepted and that it worked. I asked what would happen if no one wanted to try it. He said that he would have to come up with something else.

In my life, when no one listens to me, I pout, feel inadequate, quit, and feel sorry for myself. Clearly, it is possible to count blessings when they seem to be missing, but I’ve not learned that yet. Not that the solution is hidden — the psalmist knew it:

All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning. If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children. But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. (Psalm 73:13–17)

This one and other passages tell me to remember and dwell on what God says, not on what people do. It is easier when people do bad things to other people, but when I am treated as if I don’t know anything or no one listens (and I know I spoke truth) that is my challenge. 

Joshua’s words are a diagnosis. He warned about the idols of this world and one of them is recognition, being respected, appreciated, put on a pedestal. This is the rub — for one other song that I sang this morning was “Let Jesus Christ be praised” and this is the response that ought to come from my heart when I feel neglected or ignored.

Jesus, I tell others to praise the Lord and not boast about themselves as if I have this response to life myself. But that is a vain thought. Help me honor You all the time, even when others do not, even when I am dishonored. Who am I to be listened to anyway? It is You who deserve all glory and praise. For shame that I want it for myself.

 

Only a glove. . . .

 

While Christians cannot ‘save’ others, nor can unsaved people all by themselves make a decision to believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit works with God’s people to make things happen. Like a hand in a glove (we are the glove) He moves and reveals Himself through our obedience and our lives. Consider what the Bible says about the effect our actions can have:

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14–16)
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:12)

My obedience to God can cause others to glorify Him. Loving other Christians tells unbelievers that I follow Jesus. Obedience and a godly life may get me persecuted but when the Holy Spirit visits them, they will be receptive and glorify God because of what they saw.

I’ve heard said that as a forgiven child of God, I am free to live this new life, but that freedom is not about doing as I please. Gloves cannot move about or do anything without that almighty Hand that is in them.

Piper’s devotional points out that this is not just about spiritual activities. He talks about “all things” including business, industry, education, media, sports, arts, leisure, government, and all else. I’m aware that I’m not to be a mere ‘Sunday’ Christian, but to recognize Him and trust Him 24/7. Learning and doing this may take a lifetime, but His goal for me is transformation into the image of Christ. He exemplifies a perfect ‘glove’ in His yielded life.
Piper points out that there will never be a time before the return of Christ when all people will honor him as supreme. This emphasizes the importance of doing what He says now:

Since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. (2 Thessalonians 1:6–10)

I’ve no idea whose lives will change because Jesus used me to show love to others, to behave as He obeyed in all areas of my life, to be motivated by the Spirit instead of following my “I-wants” instead of doing His will. But I’m finally learning that from the moment I rise up each day, to turn immediately to Him in worship and in an attitude of yielded listening. I’m only a glove so have no idea what He can do with that except that He says He can use it to change the lives of others.

PRAY: Jesus, You have a way of hugging me and making me feel very small at the same time.  I’ve no idea what this day will bring. I just want Your Spirit to keep my attention so that Your thoughts and Your will takes priority in whatever comes along.

In what do I boast?

 
I know a man who often says that he must ‘do something’ and that his Christian life is based on that rule. He says that he feels right about himself if he is involved in meeting needs and without anything to do, he does not.

Today’s reading is about growing in grace. Grace is not about what I do but about what Christ has done and is doing. The author says that to walk in grace means opposing all growth in self-dependence or self-effort. It means to oppose every legality or rules to put our growing in the hands of our Savior, Jesus Christ, just as we put our eternal destiny in his hands.

And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (Matthew 6:28–30)

I also know a woman who says that even though she knows salvation is not based on her in any way, she never feels ‘good enough’ to be a Christian. As Jesus says, she is ‘anxious about her clothing’ or to put it in salvation terms, she worries about what covers her or adorns her and her growth.

In this woman’s mind, the conflict is between flesh and Spirit, even though she knows that both cannot be true. If God covers or clothes her, why does she need to add more? If God saves us by grace, why the compulsion to add to that works?
I’m trying to relate. What comes to mind is this: if God does it all, He gets all the credit, all the glory. Being saved by grace is a humble admission that I cannot save myself. This is all about the future after death.

But what about requiring grace to live the Christian life? The Bible says I cannot do anything of eternal value in my life apart from grace. That is humbling too. It goes against the world’s value system. Only little babies and severely handicapped people are unable to do things. This truth hits my pride.

Jesus says I’m like a lily? It grows by itself. A weed is also the same. This ‘walking by faith’ rather than by sight is one thing, but abiding in Christ because ‘apart from Him I can do nothing’ does not seem like good news, even though it explains why a person feels as if they ‘must do something’ or is ‘never good enough.’

To add to this hit to pride, God also says:

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:26–31)

God is not interested in my IQ, power, or any other credentials. No matter how high or strong I am in any category, compared to Him I am nothing. And I boast in myself? Silly me. All that is wise or good or of any value is because of Christ Jesus, and has nothing to do with how good I think I am. It is like swimming to Hawaii; some of us drown in no time and others cover a few miles, but no one can do it. We also all fall short of the glory of God.

PRAY: Jesus, those who whine about inability might hear, “Suck it up, princess” or something like that. I hear You say, “My strength is perfected in weakness” and “I’ve got you covered” — and that is far better than self-pity or any pride that focuses on me be ‘good enough’ or any compulsion that tells me I must work hard to be worthy. My boast must be in You. Also, I’m not to evaluate those who don’t see these things the way I do. You also say, “Do not quarrel over opinions” because “each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:1-12)

The best choices . . .

 

My day begins with at least four songs of worship. Not being a great singer, they are at least a “joyful noise” and put me in a frame of mind ready to hear what God has to say when I sit down with the Bible. This morning, the songs were all about being delivered from sin and about belonging 100% to Jesus Christ. I thought of the times my faith went off the rails and He delivered me. I confessed being prone to wander, to think my way is a viable choice, and sensed again how the Spirit of God and my fleshy nature are in conflict. Choosing His way is often a struggle.

As if a script had been written, today’s devotional begins with this verse that echoes my thoughts as I sang . . . “You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5)

Then MacArthur writes how Romans 12:1 tells me to present my body to God as “a living and holy sacrifice which is an appropriate and acceptable act of worship.” Just as I had been thinking, he also wrote: “The problem with living sacrifices is that they tend to crawl off the altar.”

Being like Christ means sacrificial living. He gave Himself. That demands spiritual discipline and constant dependence on the Holy Spirit. I’ve been a Christian for half a century, yet I’m not always willing to do that. Scripture and this devotional remind me again that the motivation and ability for a life of self-sacrifice are found in the mercies of Christ.

Is this page long enough to list them? Romans 1–11 speaks of love, grace, peace, faith, comfort, power, hope, patience, kindness, glory, honor, righteousness, forgiveness, reconciliation, justification, security, eternal life, freedom, resurrection, sonship, intercession, and the Holy Spirit. Isn’t that enough to produce a glad surrender of all that I have to Him, to do His will and to live for His glory?

Romans 12:1 adds verse 2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” One OT verse puts it this way: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

The word “heart” is vast, not just the center of a person’s thoughts (mind), but also volition/choices, emotions, and knowledge of right from wrong/conscience. This includes all my inner self; inclination, disposition; determination, courage; will, intention; attention, consideration, and reasoning. I need to pay attention!

My word for this year is FOCUS because guarding my heart does not come automatically. In fact, it is more like being at war, watching all the time for snipers, knowing that explosions will happen, keeping an eye out for enemies but also looking out for my fellow warriors and for the nearest medic in case any of us are wounded by the attacks on our spiritual well-being.

Being alert is an admonishment to pray for others and to live for Christ. Paying attention means keeping out of the line of fire. These thoughts remind me of a saying: There are three kinds of people in the world: those who make things happen, those who watch what happens, and those who say, “Duh, what happened?” I don’t want to be in the Duh group but can so easily find myself oblivious to others when I focus on myself and my interests instead of the will of God.

The Bible tells me to live according to my new life in Christ . . .

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you since you are not under law but under grace. (Romans 6:12–14)

This includes the obvious sins, but also my inner thoughts. Those are summed up in this verse:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Guarding my heart means recognizing and refusing to think about lies, false teaching, anything that is shameful, unjust, impure, and instead be filled with praise for God and for all goodness that comes from Him. Just this brief list reveals the challenges of heart-guarding and the battle that all Christians have in presenting ourselves as living sacrifices.

PRAY: Jesus, because Your Spirit lives in me, and because the Bible says so, I have Your mind and can think Your thoughts. The issue is choosing that instead of my own ideas, and first knowing the difference. Fill me with your thoughts and help me be eager to make spiritual sacrifices that please and glorify You and that edify others.

PONDER: Read Romans 6 and consider who I am now and the choices God wants me to make.