The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"I and O"
You have likely heard the adage that middle letter of "sin" is "I." Consider also that the middle letter of "God" is "O", as in others.
Of the vast differences between our Creator and ourselves, nothing more characterizes the contrast of divinity in its natural state, and humanity in ours. Indeed, our Lord ever seeks the benefit of others, while left to ourselves, "all seek their own" (Philippians 2:21)
Apart from God's redemption and influence in the Lord Jesus Christ, the unholy trinity of "I, Me, and My" governs our lives (along with devilish and worldly influence and power). When we trust the Lord Jesus for salvation, the new birth ushers us into the reason for which we exist, that is, to be governed by the holy Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. From selfishness to unselfishness characterizes the changed heart that progressively results in a changed life as we walk with our Lord and as He walks in us.
"God is love… Charity (love) seeketh not her own… the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us" (I John 4:8; I Corinthians 13:5; Romans 5:5).
Of all that can be said about the life to which God calls and enables us as believers, nothing more defines His work in us than deliverance from selfishness unto devotion to Himself and others. I Corinthians 13 clearly reveals that without such genuine altruism, any supposed experience of God must be viewed as vanity. Indeed, the Holy Spirit's presence in us involves our Father's stated determination to conform us unto the spiritual and moral image of the Lord Jesus (Romans 8:28-29). Our Lord ever works to turn us inside out from selfishness to unselfishness making us like the Son who "came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).
If ever we wonder what God is doing in our lives, of this we can be sure: He works to enable our overcoming of fleshly, worldly, and devilish temptations to be led by the darkness of "I, Me, and My." Nothing but destruction awaits in this black hole that seeks to absorb all things into itself for its own existence and benefit. Conversely, the bright and shining sun sun of divine love exists for radiating the light of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ever outward unto others. Salvation in Christ begins and continues the work of delivering us unto such a life where we seek the glory of God and the blessing of people. This fills our own hearts with the peace and joy found only as we grow in likeness to the Christ devoted to His Father and to us.
"I do always those things that please Him."
(John 8:29)
"Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all."
(Isaiah 53:4-6)
Weekly Memory Verse
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
(Isaiah 53:4-6)
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