The world in which we live has values, which they hold
dear. People in our world judge each person according to their secular social
status. However, if we live in order to be accepted and esteemed in this
worldly system, we end up as an abomination to God (Luke 16:14-15). If we
follow Biblical admonitions, we may not earn the world’s respect and
admiration; however, we will earn God’s acceptance and pleasure (Ephesians 1:6).
There are a few people, like Mother Teresa, who honor God
and also manage to earn the world’s respect. She gave up her life for the
indigent and abused, making their life better in any way she could. God gave
her a gift, and she responded to His call for her life. God has a special plan
and purpose for each one of us too (Ephesians 2:10). God gave us a free will to
accept or to reject His plans for our life. No one may notice, but He will.
We cannot please God through self-righteous attempts with
natural efforts and accomplishments. It has the terrible stench of human nature
as we offer it to the Lord (Isaiah 64:6). It is an abomination to Him, because He only
accepts the sacrifices of those who rely only on Christ’s righteousness for
their salvation (Romans
3:22). We cannot earn salvation or justification by our works (Titus 3:5-7:Romans 2:8-9). In God’s
eyes, our good deeds are nothing more than putrid rags (Isaiah 64:6).
However, Jesus gives us His holiness as a free gift in
exchange for our humanity. He took our sin and nailed it to the cross,
triumphing over both sin and death (Colossians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 15:57). We
trust in Christ alone and walk in His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). We do
the works, which He called us to do before we were ever born (Romans
2:10). We radiate the love and light of Christ to the world around
us. We may not receive world fame, but God will say to us, “Well done, my good
and faithful servant.”
Prayer:
Father God, we live in Your joy and take pleasure in each
moment of our service to You. Christ is our only life (Colossians 3:4), out of
which we share His reconciliation with anyone willing to listen to Your gospel
truth (2 Corinthians
5:11-21). Many people will reject Your message and may even reject
us. However, You will delight in our ways. Remind us not to depend upon any
goodness within our self, but to use all of the resources You provide for us
through Your Spirit; not for our own advancement in life, but to further Your
Kingdom in the earth (Luke
16:1-18).
Thought for the Day:
Living in union with Christ brings a multitude of blessings
to the life of all of His Saints.
