As usual, I started my morning off reading from my devotionals. I leave My Utmost for His Highest until last because its message usually goes much deeper than most devotionals. Often, it requires several readings for me to wrap my head around the message. Today was no exception.
How often have we heard a pastor in his altar call ask “Who wants to be forgiven of their sins?” Or “Who wants to ensure they have a place in heaven?” Or some other “Who wants…” followed by a benefit to the receiver. Or maybe you, like me, have asked others similar questions.
In his March 12th entry, Chambers states our motive for surrender should not be for any personal gain at all. My first thought was – huh? Aren’t we surrendering so our sins can be forgiven? Aren’t we surrendering so we can spend eternity in heaven? So, I reread from the beginning of the passage for context. Here is the sentence immediately preceding his statement about personal gain.
Being delivered from sin and being made holy are the result of being right with God, but surrender
resulting from this kind of thinking is certainly not the true nature of Christianity.
Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, March 12
Chambers goes on to point out how self-centered it is to go to God only to get something from Him. I couldn’t disagree. I thought about other relationships I have – my husband, my parents, my friends. I did not marry my husband for what he could give me. I married him for who he is, because I like being with him, because I wanted a relationship with him. Ditto for most of the people in my life.
Why would it be different with God? If there is anyone I should want a relationship with, it should be Him above all others. Therefore, throughout the Bible, we are encouraged to read God’s word to get to know Him and to develop a relationship with Him. Becoming a Christian shouldn’t be about what God can do for us. It should be about God Himself. You wouldn’t want someone to marry you or be your friend simply for what you could give them or do for them, would you? That would be selfish. Why would we base our relationship with God on our own selfishness?
The message of Salvation is continued in Chambers March 13th entry. He explains being delivered from sin and made holy is only part of the picture. Being delivered from ourselves so we can be in perfect union with God is the other part. This is the intimate relationship with God Himself. This is the bigger purpose we all long for in our lives. Being saved from sin and becoming holy is the effect of having this relationship with Him.
Jesus gave Himself to us completely and unconditionally when He died for us on the cross. He did so without reservation. Likewise, we should give ourselves to Him without selfish desire, without wanting something for ourselves in return. The apostle Paul surrendered himself to Christ in this way. Let him be an example for each of us.
Just for today, turn to God to get to know Him a little better – much like getting to know a new friend. Leave your wants at the door and instead make your conversation with God today, about Him instead of about you.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son, that
whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Have a Blessed Day!
– Paula –
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