I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ… —Colossians 1:24
The Christian worker has to be a sacred “go-between.” He must be so closely identified with his Lord and the reality of His redemption that Christ can continually bring His creating life through him. I am not referring to the strength of one individual’s personality being superimposed on another, but the real presence of Christ coming through every aspect of the worker’s life. When we preach the historical facts of the life and death of our Lord as they are conveyed in the New Testament, our words are made sacred. God uses these words, on the basis of His redemption, to create something in those who listen which otherwise could never have been created. If we simply preach the effects of redemption in the human life instead of the revealed, divine truth regarding Jesus Himself, the result is not new birth in those who listen. The result is a refined religious lifestyle, and the Spirit of God cannot witness to it because such preaching is in a realm other than His. We must make sure that we are living in such harmony with God that as we proclaim His truth He can create in others those things which He alone can do.
When we say, “What a wonderful personality, what a fascinating person, and what wonderful insight!” then what opportunity does the gospel of God have through all of that? It cannot get through, because the attraction is to the messenger and not the message. If a person attracts through his personality, that becomes his appeal. If, however, he is identified with the Lord Himself, then the appeal becomes what Jesus Christ can do. The danger is to glory in men, yet Jesus says we are to lift up only Him (see John 12:32).
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November 9, 2016
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
Good morning God and thank you for this devotional. Although we have both been addressing health issues; David and I both agreed that we needed to get refocused on writing a journal entry as a means of surrendering, connecting and living in curiosity and obedience. Some very strong issues and circumstances have come my way lately and I shake my head while also questioning my own motives and religion. Then in prayer I seek You and Your Spirit, and even while struggling with current circumstances, my own motives and objectivity, I suspect this is exactly where You want Me; in need of You and Your peace.
And God says…”If all things work for the good of those that love the Lord, then you are exactly where I want you to be. When you cannot see a solution, or a path to a solution, you then are much more likely to acknowledge Me in all your ways and let me make your paths straight. Let your weakness become my strength in you. Like your song says today; cry out to Jesus. And when the Spirit of God in you connects and responds to the person of Jesus, you will once again feel the peace that passes understanding. Leave the details of the circumstance(s) to Me. You have knocked on the door, now let Me answer.”
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