I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. —Philippians 3:12
Never choose to be a worker for God, but once God has placed His call on you, woe be to you if you “turn aside to the right hand or to the left” (Deuteronomy 5:32). We are not here to work for God because we have chosen to do so, but because God has “laid hold of” us. And once He has done so, we never have this thought, “Well, I’m really not suited for this.” What you are to preach is also determined by God, not by your own natural leanings or desires. Keep your soul steadfastly related to God, and remember that you are called not simply to convey your testimony but also to preach the gospel. Every Christian must testify to the truth of God, but when it comes to the call to preach, there must be the agonizing grip of God’s hand on you— your life is in the grip of God for that very purpose. How many of us are held like that?
Never water down the Word of God, but preach it in its undiluted sternness. There must be unflinching faithfulness to the Word of God, but when you come to personal dealings with others, remember who you are— you are not some special being created in heaven, but a sinner saved by grace.
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do…I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).
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Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord
Since I don’t feel the “agonizing grip of God’s hand on you” … I was unsure of what to do with the first part of today’s selection. Perhaps it just helps me understand those who are called to preach in that way. Perhaps it helps me understand some of the dogmatic sounding preachers… at least understand how they got that way or how they justify staying that way.
But when I got to the last part…”not some special being created in heaven, but a sinner saved by grace.” That I could relate to. And that’s the connection with the song today.
It is easier for you to relate to receiving grace because that is the road I’ve been leading you on for quite a while. Grace for you. But how about grace for those around you? from those who cut you off in traffic to those who adamantly preach a “non-grace” message… those who would place behavioral demands on people and judge them if they don’t measure up?
Yes, Lord, that really irritates me. But I read that it really irritated you too, those Pharisees and teachers of the law. So is it OK to be irritated?
I was sad that they couldn’t hear me. So you can be sad for your brethren who are locked up in a more rigid understanding than what I’ve been teaching you. You can be curious about how they got that way. And today’s lesson can shed some light on it. It will be good when both the liberals and the conservatives read and heed my word thru Paul in Romans 14. About not judging another man’s servant.
14 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval………..10 So why do you condemn another believer[a]? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say,
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bend to me,
and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.[b]’”
12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. 13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
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