Gorging on Jesus
By Winn Collier
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Romans 12:1 TNIV
Romans 12:1 TNIV
WE ALL HAVE OUR LOYALTIES. We are loyal to a political affiliation, our cultural heritage, our Mac, P.F. Chang’s, a few of us even to the Yankees. And then—added to the mix—some of us are loyal to Jesus as well.
The sickness here is that the whole enterprise begins and ends with us. We know what we want, and we use whomever or whatever will help us get it. If a career or a spouse or a master’s degree helps, great. And when Jesus can grease the wheels, all the better. From this posture, we can attach God’s name to whatever suits us. We may quote a verse or pray a prayer, but then we baptize our every whim and desire in the name of me.
Often, our actions belie that we have made a lethal error. We believe the world and all its resources—all our friendships, all our time, all our economic power—are ours to devour.
Certainly, God has given us His world to enjoy for our pleasure. But we are caretakers, not owners. Our first question is not, What do I want from this world? but rather, What does God want to do in His world? And how does God want to use us in His redemptive work?
The sickness here is that the whole enterprise begins and ends with us. We know what we want, and we use whomever or whatever will help us get it. If a career or a spouse or a master’s degree helps, great. And when Jesus can grease the wheels, all the better. From this posture, we can attach God’s name to whatever suits us. We may quote a verse or pray a prayer, but then we baptize our every whim and desire in the name of me.
Often, our actions belie that we have made a lethal error. We believe the world and all its resources—all our friendships, all our time, all our economic power—are ours to devour.
Certainly, God has given us His world to enjoy for our pleasure. But we are caretakers, not owners. Our first question is not, What do I want from this world? but rather, What does God want to do in His world? And how does God want to use us in His redemptive work?
Think of the times that you rely on God's provision and promises. Is it only for personal gain, or to better serve God's will?
This was taken from RELEVANT MAGAZINES Deeper Walk Devotional, August 9th, 2011.
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