Henry & Richard Blackaby
So concludes today's entry in our study. Let's just contemplate the meaning of some of the key words in this sentence:
- Ask - An action that springs from a desire and a recognition that I can't attain something on my own.
- God - The creator of the universe. The keeper of all knowledge and wisdom. A realization on my part that not only can He condescend to meet this request, but that He desperately wants to do so.
- free - A liberation from something that binds or constricts. But also a permission to do something that ultimately fulfills someone else AND me.
- selfishness - The ultimate restriction from enjoying something far better. Fulfilling my own desire, placed above the desire of someone else, will always result in emptiness and longing for something to fill that void.
- life - What Jesus said He came to give each of us. Not just in small portions, but abundance.
- bless - An ability that each one has access to, but must be shared. It cannot be hoarded. The very nature of blessing requires that I deny myself. Blessing someone enriches me and the subject of the blessing.
- others - What every Christian should be centered upon. Everything I do should be with the thought of blessing others, not my self.
You and I have a choice each day. Whether to satisfy self, or serve others. 1 Corinthians 10:24 says we should not seek our own, but the well-being of others. This even extends to making choices for those who I am responsible for, like my family, or Sunday School class, or youth group. How can we seek to serve others - other brothers and sisters in Christ AND others who are outside the kingdom of God in order to share the Gospel with them?
Your choice. Which one is better?
Charles Fortney
elder
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