Sometimes I look at our website to check on the effectiveness of our Devotionals and see how some perform better than others, and some that effected me most get little to no attention at all. I get offended! I wonder "Why do I even do this?" sometimes. Then I realize how self-centered I am. The truth hurts! And what is more, the advent of social media has conditioned me (and likely many of you reading this) to determine our worth based on how many likes or reactions, comments, or reposts we can get. This is not a fishing attempt, I promise! Don't like or share this because I'm making you feel guilty! Don't go back and read and click because I am feeling sorry for myself: the truth hurts, and it is that I need to be humbled sometimes so I can stay humble. None of this life is about me. The world existed before I was here, and it will exist (unless the Lord returns) for a while after I am gone. How often do we make life about us? Over and again, I am humbled by the Old and New Testament Scriptures of correction, because I realize that though those people are long gone, I have not changed a single bit, and you, my fellow humans, have not either. We still make life about us. We still forget the God who blesses us beyond what any deserve, and we forget that we are answerable to Him. What is the solution to this hurtful truth? Complete submission in humility to Jesus. It is no less than this that will find us in the most contentment, the most peace, and the most joy in life. I hate writing this today, but I need to hear the truth, even if it hurts. Colossians 3:5-17 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
תגובות