"John Chrysostom comments on today's passage: "By 'world' he means not heaven nor earth but the affairs of life, human praise, distinguished positions, reputation, wealth and all things that have a show of splendor. All such things are dead to me. Such should be the case for all Christians".
What motivates your service to the Lord? Is it to be noticed by men or to show forth your weakness that He might be glorified?" From Tabletalk Magazine, April 27th 2009.
3 comments:
It's a very convicting message. I know that I have a very ambitious, competitive, almost defiant streak (I was labeled OD, or Oppositional Defiant, as a child). I've focused this personality trait to help me achieve in academics, but it can be a hindrance in my walk in Christ.
One example could serve for all. I'm celibate because my attractions (which are to the same gender) can't be fulfilled in a Godly way. I, like any other man or woman, am often tempted by the prospect of a relationship, even if it's an unholy one. Sometimes my motivation for steering clear of these relationships is pure: I want to please Christ.
And sometimes my motivation, though it winds up with the same result, is not so pure. I don't want to let those who have criticized my decisions "win." I don't want people to be satisfied by thinking that they've "won me over."
In other words, it's my OD (or, better word, pride) manifesting itself, instead of me being focused on what matters and why I really don't want to enter these relationships: Christ.
Thanks for the response Jay.
I have admired your integrity.
God's children are different from the world in one way that really counts. There are times we want to please Christ, because we love Him. We only love Him because He first loved us, nevertheless we love Him.
The children of wrath, which we were once, hate Christ. Evene if they say they don't, they do. There may be different degrees of hatred, but it's there.
I don't believe the new creature in Christ hates the Lord, but we love Him. Not perfectly. And sometimes we rebel against Him in preide, but we love Him.
And as bad as our love for Christ can be here in this life, His love for us is always perfect and full of grace. The One who was nailed to a tree for sinners like us, proved His love, and He rose from the dead to verify it for all eternity.
Jesus surely is our Lord and God. We are to worship Him in truth and Spirit, as we also worship the Father. But He is also our Brother, and He is also our Friend.
What a Savior we have!
"I have admired your integrity."
Thank you, brother. If I may say so, I have admired your humility, your graciousness, and your Christ-centered responses. They mean so much to me, and give me much encouragement. God bless you. :)
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