The world in which we live has values, which they hold
dear. People in our world judge each person according to their worldly
standards. 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 cannot earn the world’s respect and admiration,
although we will earn God’s 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
purpose for each of us too. It is up to us whether or not we fulfill His desire
for our life (Ephesians
2:10). We may not reach world fame, but God will say to us, “Well done, good
and faithful servant.”
Our self-righteous attempts to please God with our natural
efforts and accomplishments are worthless. They give off the terrible stench of
human nature as we offer it to the Lord (Isaiah 64:6). It is not pleasing to Him,
because He only accepts the sacrifices of those who rely only on the
righteousness of Christ for their salvation (Romans 3:22). In God’s eyes, our good deeds
are nothing more than dirty rags (Isaiah 64:6).
We cannot earn salvation or justification by our works (Titus 3:5-7). 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 possess His righteousness as
our own (2 Corinthians
5:21). Then, we radiate the love and light of Christ to the world around us.
Prayer:
Father God, we live in Your joy and take pleasure in each
moment of our relationship with You. Christ is our only life (Colossians 3:4). Remind us
to allow You to use us to bring reconciliation to the world around us (2 Corinthians 5:11-21). Many
people will reject our message and may even reject us. However, You will
delight in our ways. Remind us to use all of the resources You have given us,
not for our own advancement in life, but to further Your Kingdom in the earth (Luke 16:1-18).
Thought for the Day:
If I think I am somebody, then God is not everything to me;
but when I realize that I am nothing, God becomes my all in all. That is when
He fully reveals Himself to me.
