Table of Contents
Some Questions on Perspective
How is it some feel they’re doing God a favor when they share the Gospel with others? Some have forgotten it was God Who did them a favor, and they feel inconvenienced when it comes time to serve. Unless of course, it’s something they desire, and it fits their calendar. It short, they want it to be on their terms. In that case, who are they actually serving? There’s something wrong with that picture!
In Revelation 2:4, Jesus told the Church at Ephesus, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy First Love.” You cannot divorce works from love and grace. In other words, God’s grace enables us to His works, they are part of our new nature (see Ephesians 2:8-10). We’re earning nothing. Jesus put it this way,
He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him (John 14:21).
If you feel put out, and feel like you’re actually doing God a favor, it begs the question: what is in your heart? Is He God to you? Who serves who? Do He really need any of us?
The Humility of God
When considering He is God and we are not, His humility is quite extraordinary. Especially, since He answers to no one! Nonetheless, Scripture reveals to us God is quite humble.
Psalm 113:4-6 The LORD is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens.
Who is like unto the LORD our God, Who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth Himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
Psalm 8:3-4 When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of Him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
An interesting thing about the Lord is He does the very things He asks of us to do. Before asking us to humble ourselves before Him, He humbled Himself before us. If He did not humble Himself, it would be impossible for us humble ourselves. How so? Because of His love, He humbled Himself in order to reveal Himself to us. We would have no awareness of Him, unless He made the first move. This underscores the fact that we could not love Him, unless He loved us first (see 1 John 4:9-19).
Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross.
Was it convenient for Jesus to come serve us? Was it convenient to be crucified for our sakes? Have you considered God has always served us, and continues to do so? The number of ways He serves us is too numerous to count.
Do You Love Him?
This question is for one in the mirror, and no one else, other than God: do you love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength? If one were to hazard a guess, most have probably question themselves about the validity of their own love for Him. How altruistic are our motives? Scarry, huh? The Bible does give us some clues.
1 John 4:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.
What motivates you to serve Him? Are you motivated? Hard questions, but worthy of consideration when it comes to our relationship with God. Is being pleasing to Him reward enough? Do you enjoy doing things with Him?
Who’s Doing Who a Favor?
Think about this: God created everything. He knit us together in the womb; we did not make ourselves. He provided everything for our survival, and even our enjoyment. We did not save ourselves; Jesus did that! By His grace, He enabled us to do the things of God; in fact, Holy Spirit helps us to pray, and even prays for us (see Romans 8:26-27). Jesus prepared a place for us. On top of that, God rewards us for obedience, even though, He did it all. None of us could do anything on our own. Who does that?
Gratitude is a beautiful thing!
