The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe
“Responsibility and Relief”
“We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord” (II Corinthians 4:5).
The Apostle Paul realized his calling to represent not himself or his own thoughts, beliefs, convictions, and opinions. He rather served as an “ambassador for Christ” (II Corinthians 5:20). The same calling applies to all believers in the Lord Jesus, whatever our calling of life may involve. Born again believers represent not ourselves, “but Christ Jesus the Lord.”
This primary truth of our being involves great responsibility. We will reflect well upon our Lord in the venues of our lives, revealing who He is in our countenance, demeanor, attitudes, words, and deeds, as led and enabled by the Holy Spirit. Or we will misrepresent Him, as led by the flesh in response to devilish and worldly temptation. Our spheres of influence desperately require us to bear witness to the Lord Jesus, certainly in words as opportunity presents itself, but just as importantly, in how we conduct ourselves in life and relationship to others. As the saying goes, “Preach Christ to everyone you meet. Use words, if necessary.”
“Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31).
Great responsibility indeed. But also, what privilege! And what relief! Former sinners, strangled by the serpent of self reliance, self emphasis, and self importance become redeemed saints devoted to the honor of their Savior. No higher calling can be imagined. Nor does any other purpose for existence compare with the blessed gift of serving as moons to God’s sun (Son), absorbing and reflecting His glorious light in all we do. No longer must we worry about how we are viewed, but rather rejoice in the peace of being devoted to how He is viewed. Yes, we breathe a sigh of relief upon every remembrance that God has delivered us from the tyranny of “I, me, and my” unto the tranquility of “Not unto us, not unto us, but unto Thy Name give glory, for Thy mercy and Thy truth’s sake!” (Psalm 115:1).
We will be tempted otherwise, of course. The flesh of even the most devoted believer remains susceptible to furthering its own reputation (Galatians 5:17). Deep in the spirit, however, where the Christ-honoring Holy Spirit lives, the responsibility and relief of “we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord” shines as the brightest of all glories (John 16:14). Let us then accept the responsibility. We exist to glorify the Lord Jesus, in this day and forevermore. Nothing more. Nothing less. Nothing else. Then let us then breathe the sweet sigh of relief as the same truth blesses us with the peace of we exist to glorify the Lord Jesus, in this day and forevermore. Nothing more. Nothing less. Nothing else.
“I will glorify Thy Name forevermore.”
(Psalm 86:12)
Weekly Memory Verse
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of His knowledge by us in every place.
(II Corinthians 2:14)
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