Being Your Own
There are two ways we get life wrong:
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19
1. We want to be OUR OWN Lord instead of Jesus
*I often replace Jesus as Lord with me as lord, running life my way.
* I want to be in charge.
**This often leads to behaviour that by moral standards is bad, e.g. sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll. We do not think Jesus is enough, disbelieving that living under His rule is the “good life.” So we replace Jesus with others things.
But there is another way we get life wrong:
2. We want to be OUR OWN Saviour instead of Jesus.
I often replace Jesus as Saviour with me as saviour: attempting to save myself by doing good things, saving other people by straightening out their lives, or saving the world through good causes.
People trying to be their own saviour often live morally good lives. They’re good husbands, wives, and parents because they want to rescue their family. Or they’re involved in good causes, e.g. raising money for the poor, campaigning for justice, or addressing environmental issues.
These are commendable things. Replacing Jesus as Saviour often looks like a good life. People in the Body are doing this and you think they’re doing great.
But its fruit will eventually become apparent: pride, frustration, stress, anxiety, or manipulation.
Consider a parent trying to fix their child thinking it all depends on them. They may be manipulative or domineering as they attempt to control and protect their child. Or they may be bitter about their child’s behaviour or weighed down with stress.
Without God’s Love flowing from
our hearts, good works and
sacrificail giving are of no benefit.
“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love
[Agape], it profiteth me nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:3
**Presumption is based on our own reasoning.
“So she said to Abram, ‘The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her.’ Abram agreed to what Sarai said.” – Genesis 16:2
Presumption is based on our own reasoning. Abraham and Sarah fell into presumption when they got too old to have children. God had promised a son to Abraham and Sarah – a son who would fulfill His promise to birth a nation. But Abraham and Sarah were past the normal age for childbearing. So, they concluded that GOD needed help to work out His plan.
Many believers make the same mistake every day. We make assumptions about what we believe God is doing and wants us to do.
However, before we really have FULL assurance that God has spoken to us on the matter and revealed His perfect action plan, we move forward with OUR steps to get it done.
* How do we protect ourselves from presumption?
The Proverbs tell us that there is safety in a multitude of counselors (see Prov. 11:14 KJV). Submitting our decisions to others for confirmation protects each of us from the deceit of our own heart. This process will protect us from presumption and encourage us to move in faith.
The people who are rejecting Jesus as Lord will usually be easy to spot. But be on the lookout for people who are rejecting Jesus as Saviour.
***People who are rejecting Jesus as Lord must repent, find joy in Christ and change their ways.
**** People who are rejecting Jesus as Saviour must do … nothing. Instead, stop. LISTEN: “It is finished.” There is nothing left to do. You have a heavenly Father who loves and cares for you.
Here’s the good news: JESUS IS Lord
and Saviour(24/7) . He’s both a better Lord and a better Saviour than we will ever be.
Proverbs 1: 33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
Lord, you are our firm foundation, which is Christ the Rock. You, Lord tell us the truth, the Lord cannot build and tear down at the same time. The Lord has called you to build with the Word, with your own words of truth, with faith and in obedience. Build His kingdom with integrity and diligence by the power of His Spirit, and refuse to tear down through operating in the works of the flesh. Arise and build, for the Lord.
1 Corinthians 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Amen
2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.
**Do be not be discouraged, keep on working for God and someday you will be rewarded-this verse may help, when you are feeling tired and cant be bothered to go own, remember, one day you will be rewarded for your work.
John 4:34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
God ought to be our food! Our desires ought to match up with his! The ONLY way we can do this is by doing it his way, and his way ONLY! Today, crave His will alone! His way is Clearly written in His word.
Hebrews 6:10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
Lord, this is an encouragement to me. Although, I only wish I worked harder and loved more consistently and sacrificially. Of course, I may still have many more days to love others, as You allow. Help the days ahead to be more fruitful than the days behind.
What an amazing gift that You would remember no more the sinful things I have done, but would remember the good works and love I have given. Help me to be like You in this way with those in my life every day. AMEN
LISTEN:
John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
Isaiah 28: 23 Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say.
Psalms 50:7 “Listen, my people, and I will speak; I will testify against you, Israel: I am God, your God.
*In the day of distress we must apply to the Lord by fervent prayer. Our troubles, though we see them coming from God’s hand, must drive us to him, not drive us from him. We must acknowledge him in all our ways, depend upon his wisdom, power, and goodness, and refer ourselves wholly to him, and so give him glory. Thus must we keep up communion with God; meeting him with prayers under trials, and with praises in deliverances.