Monday, October 17, 2011

Humility and the Bondslave

Lately the Lord has been leading me to study the life of Jesus Christ.  What a joy to read through the life of the One who came to this earth to manifest our heavenly Father, as Jesus Christ himself WAS God on earth!

Yesterday morning our pastor was preaching from II Corinthians and he mentioned a missionary who had used the term, "bondslave mentality".  This missionary told of other men and women who went out to the foreign mission field and had no thought or intention of coming back alive.  Most all of these missionaries died for their faith while serving their Lord.  A bondslave is one who serves their master, no matter what the cost.  I am pleased to say that the Lord has brought me into the presence of many such christian people. These have been a true and pure example to me of ones who have wholly given themselves over to God's service and manifest it every day of their lives. However, the world-wide "church" as a whole has, unfortunately, fallen into the rut of the world and many who say they are christians, and even some who truly do know Christ, let Satan keep them in that rut.  I am not excepting MYSELF when I say this.  In the past I've walked in the rut too and, by His grace (to only His honor and praise!), have not been pleased to remain there.

Coupled with the study of our Lord's life, I have started reading (again), "Humility, the Beauty of Holiness" by Andrew Murray.  It has been the perfect accompaniment to the beautiful voice of our Lord's life in the gospels.

A verse came to my mind this morning after I had finished my Bible reading.  It is found in Hebrews 4:13.  When we studied the book of Hebrews a few years ago this verse stood out to me and has never left.  It is written for all of mankind and says, "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight; but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do".  In the Greek, the word 'naked' means "uncovered"; the word 'opened' actually means "to bend back the neck, make bare the throat".  The end of the verse makes it clear that we all will "have to DO" (deal) with God one day.  We will have no way to hide anything from Him (we have nothing that can be hidden from Him NOW).  We will also not be able to make any excuses or accusations against God not giving us enough light to lead us to Himself.

The price has been paid by the Lord Jesus.  What we do with it, whether we now are an unbeliever OR a believing christian, is up to us.  We will each answer for the things that are done in our body.  (God pleads with unsaved ones: please put your trust in the blood of Christ that was shed on your behalf. He died so that you would not have to).

These are not light thoughts, by any means; but a Monday morning is a good time for God to get us thinking on some heavy topics. Often God's 'Monday teachings' help guide me through the rest of the week with Him.  

My friends, I hope that this day is filled with good things for each of you.

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