Having Nothing to Offer God
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things” (Philippians 3:7-8a).
If anyone had anything to brag about, it would surely have been the Apostle Paul. From the Jewish perspective, you couldn’t beat Paul’s credentials. He considered himself a “…Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless” (Philippians 3:5b-6).
Surely if God was looking for someone in good standing within the people of Israel to minister to the Gentiles, it would have been Paul. But Paul understood that none of this mattered to God. In fact, God probably chose him because he was the one least likely on his own to win converts, since he was one of the chief persecutors of the early Christians.
Jesus came to save sinners. He did not come for the self-righteous who think they have something to offer to God. He came to offer us what only He can provide -- true righteousness and forgiveness. Paul told Timothy, “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15).
In explaining the Bible’s teaching on man, theologian John Gerstner said, “This book does not flatter, cajole, or cultivate; it blows your hard, built-up self-esteem. Abandon pride, all who enter here. If you are capable of being insulted, you can’t interpret this book correctly. You won’t believe what the Bible says, if you won’t believe how bad you are. Only conscious sinners can interpret the Bible honestly. The righteous can’t let this Word have free course, because this would spell the end of their self-righteousness. They have a vested interest in unsound interpreting. They are not about to part with their pride because of the Word of God.”
By the work of the Holy Spirit, God’s people must “come to the end of their rope.” They must abandon all hope in being worthy of acceptance to God. Can you sing from your heart these words from the old hymn, Rock of Ages?
“Thou must save and thou alone. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling; Naked, come to thee for dress, helpless, look to thee for grace; Foul, I to the Fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die.”
The great joy for the Christian is to trust God’s promise that He will freely save everyone who calls upon His Son for life.
By Jim Connell
If anyone had anything to brag about, it would surely have been the Apostle Paul. From the Jewish perspective, you couldn’t beat Paul’s credentials. He considered himself a “…Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless” (Philippians 3:5b-6).
Surely if God was looking for someone in good standing within the people of Israel to minister to the Gentiles, it would have been Paul. But Paul understood that none of this mattered to God. In fact, God probably chose him because he was the one least likely on his own to win converts, since he was one of the chief persecutors of the early Christians.
Jesus came to save sinners. He did not come for the self-righteous who think they have something to offer to God. He came to offer us what only He can provide -- true righteousness and forgiveness. Paul told Timothy, “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15).
In explaining the Bible’s teaching on man, theologian John Gerstner said, “This book does not flatter, cajole, or cultivate; it blows your hard, built-up self-esteem. Abandon pride, all who enter here. If you are capable of being insulted, you can’t interpret this book correctly. You won’t believe what the Bible says, if you won’t believe how bad you are. Only conscious sinners can interpret the Bible honestly. The righteous can’t let this Word have free course, because this would spell the end of their self-righteousness. They have a vested interest in unsound interpreting. They are not about to part with their pride because of the Word of God.”
By the work of the Holy Spirit, God’s people must “come to the end of their rope.” They must abandon all hope in being worthy of acceptance to God. Can you sing from your heart these words from the old hymn, Rock of Ages?
“Thou must save and thou alone. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling; Naked, come to thee for dress, helpless, look to thee for grace; Foul, I to the Fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die.”
The great joy for the Christian is to trust God’s promise that He will freely save everyone who calls upon His Son for life.
By Jim Connell
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2021
January
New BeginningsBe a LightPraying for the Gospel to AdvancePraying for Church LeadershipPraying for RestorationPraying for the Persecuted ChurchPraying for Our NationBridging the GapJesus UnderstandsYour Spiritual TankMade to WorshipProtection and WisdomDeliver Us From TemptationWholly Following the LordDistinguishing Characteristics of a True Disciple of ChristLoving Others as God Loves UsOvercoming Resistance to the GospelHow to Love Your EnemiesWinning Influence with Reciprocating LoveF-O-C-U-SA Job Rejection
2020
March
I Am The Good Shepherd Shepherd LeadershipI Am the Good Shepherd that Keeps the GateShepherding the TeamI Am The Good Shepherd: A Note from a Thankful SheepTime OutFour DaysUp from the GraveResurrection LifeThe Shadow of DeathMore Than an Empty TombLet\'s Not Get DistractedThis Is No Time to Be TroubledJesus Christ Is The Way
April
Jesus Christ Is The TruthJesus Christ Is The LifeAn Inconvenient TruthPalm SundayI Am The VineJust Do ItI Am The DoorCuttingsThe StruggleGood FridayThe DoorAbundant GraceAbundant SalvationAbundant SecurityAbundant LifeThe Thank You NoteBreakthrough PrayerLetter to the ChurchA Time for Great ThingsPrayer for a BreakthroughThe Day of ChristAs Far As the Eye Can SeeLoosen the ChainsNothing to FearOn the Same SideWhat Are You Living For?
May
Stand Firm in One SpiritOur God of CertaintyWhy Desire Humility?The Joy of HumilityHumility in ActionThe Ultimate Example of HumilityThe Glory of HumilityThe Faith of a Mom and a GrandmotherKeep OnCelebrate Your DecisionLet Your Light ShineHow Are You Being Poured Out?Be an EncouragementManna from HeavenSafeguarding Your HeartThe Proper Way to BoastHaving Nothing to Offer GodChrist Is All I Want and NeedOn Knowing ChristNo Greater LoveBiblical ObedienceBiblical MaturityBack to ShoreEnemies of the CrossA Bridge to HeavenIt's About Time
June
A New Way of ThinkingThe Lord Is at HandWait to WorryReal PeaceRight ThinkingSuch a Time as ThisA Lesson from Homer SimpsonHesitationThe Power RangerPep TalkSea Billows RollDo You See Them as Gifts?The God QuestionA Hopeless JourneyThe Hope of GraceDon't Miss the PartyThe Joyful GodWho's Listening AnywayThe InheritanceWhat Do You See?Give Me, Give Me, Give MeTearful PrayersFaithfulnessGo and DoIt Seems GoodTrust the Creator
July
Welcome His PeaceLet Us SingGod Is AbleOur Dependence on GodJealousyWhat Dreams Are Made OfServant LeaderChoosing ForgivenessCourage To Be TransformedHeaven and Earth ReuniteHope ReachesA Hope EternalA Hope InheritedHope RebuildsHope UnseenThe Promise of HopeOur Hope Comes From The LordThe Lord Takes Care of His PeopleFree from HarmThe Protective Hand of God\'s Loving CareThe Security of God\'s Watchful LoveThe Traveling TabernacleCommunityCommunityThe FloodThe Cool KidOpposites Attract
August
Open Our EyesThe Call to DiscipleshipA Strategy to Change the WorldImitators of ChristGrowth in Uncertain TimesA Legacy of DiscipleshipHard QuestionsQuestionsThe Answer, Part OneThe Answer, Part TwoThe Answer, Part ThreeThe Answer, Part FourUsing What God Has Given UsBest Laid PlansLive Without LimitsWhat Do You Want To Do?Unlimited SupplyJust A ... ?Who Is Jesus To You?Why Do the Wicked Prosper?Living By ConvictionThere's No Price Too HighAn Epoch BattleConfusion: A Sign of Trouble AheadDay and NightBuilding Brave
September
The Faith GapWhen Bravery CallsFor Such A Time As ThisBravery In The SilenceOpen Our EyesThe Cheese Stands AloneDreamThe StandoffStrengthFather Knows BestAmbassador for ChristPapa BearBest Seat In The HouseWaiting On The LordThe Last Chapterin God\'s Tender CareDo Not Be AnxiousFinish The PlayA New DecreeThat All Might KnowThe Formula For BraveryHow Will You Respond?Stepping Out In FaithHappily Ever After?P.S.Superlatives
October
The Final Curtain CallBraveLet Your Light ShineThe God Who SeeksI Once Was Blind But Now I SeeSalvation for the Chief of SinnersA Picture of RepentanceJesus Is The Son of GodThe Red BinGoAllInAlwaysJesusOur Identity In ChristThe Christian Duty to ForgiveJesus Paid Our Sin Debt In FullThe Power of Forgiveness ExperiencedThe Consequences of UnforgivenessThe Freedom of ForgivenessDo Not Be Conformed to the WorldBetter Than I DeserveGrace Considers Us WorthyGrace Seeks OutGrace ExtendedUnconditional GraceNovember 3, 2020 | HopeGod Is ConsistentNovember 2, 2020 | Never Alone
November
November 4, 2020 | Stand the HeatNosy NeighborsUnintended ConsequencesCultivating a Biblical View of Sorrow in the Midst of a Global PandemicIt's About MoneyBeing ShrewdAre You Rich?PrioritiesThe Big IdeaThe Bigger PictureDifficult SilenceDifficult AnswersReverent HonestyHumble WaitingFrowning ProvidenceLove One AnotherGod's Love Is...Write It DownTalk It OutPandemic FatiqueHappy Thanksgiving!Stuff-MartSilenceFocusing On The EternalKnowledge of God is a Prerequisite of Faith
December
Praising God by Remembering His FaithfulnessThe Relationship Between Fear and FaithThe Transformation of Affirming FaithThe Freedom of HumilityFaith In The StormThe Adventure of AdventA Sure FoundationA Long SilenceA Divine MessengerA Doubting ResponseGod RemembersChristmas Is Still Worth CelebratingNothing New Under The SunNazareth?Highly Favored OneNow THAT'S An Understatement!He KNOWS You!Mary's SongReading Like An Ancient HebrewGo Tell It On The MountainWonder In The FamiliarOur High PriestThe Horn of SalvationTo My Grandmothers, With LoveMerry Christmas!Hope In JesusThree DaysNow I Can Die in PeaceWait, What?Rejection