My devotion began, today, saying, “ As God walked with His people through the generations, He progressively revealed His nature according to His purpose and the needs of His people.” I love thinking about this truth! He progressively reveals His nature. He does this for our generation too. He will reveal His true character to us according to our needs and His purpose in our lives. What a great and loving God we have!
I think one of Christian’s biggest problems today is replacing knowing God for doing good works — even kingdom work … doing not being! The problem with that is God wants you to praise and know Him above all else. I see believers work themselves silly doing “God’s work.” I know this to be true as I used to do this myself and now the symptoms are easily recognizable. As doers are busy working they become impatient, judgmental, condescending, critical, tired, and, before long, they are in danger of burning out completely. If everyone doesn’t do the same amount of work in the same way they do, they begin to judge others who don’t “do” all they do. They act spiritually superior to others. This is a very dangerous place to live that can turn into the sin of pride in a blink of an eye.
As we age in years we should also be growing more mature in our knowledge and love for Christ. I am not necessarily talking about head knowledge but heart knowledge. If we are still in the same place we were when we were saved then we need to do some intense self-examination. We should show the character of Christ in our patience, compassion, selflessness, devotion, faithfulness, loyalty, and passion for God’s word. As the summer sadly draws to an end, it may be a good time to examine our hearts to see if we are doing things for Christ’s church, or are we living a life that seeks to know Him more everyday? Do what God has specifically laid on your heart as you serve for this time in your life. Are you doing or are you being? We aren’t human doings … we are human beings!
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death….” Philippians 3:8-10
Live well today my fellow human beings.
Just Jesus,
Sheri
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