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 RejectionRejected by Your FamilyRejected by Church PeopleRejected for Your ViewpointThe Most Dangerous Rejection of AllWhat Are You Seeing?
February
112 YearsJesus Is Followed - Beth's StoryJesus Is Followed - Bryce's StoryJesus Is Followed - Jeff's StoryJesus Is Followed - Lily's StoryJesus Is Followed - Sarah's StoryClean SlateTake. Your MatHe Ain't HeavyFind Another WayPick Up And GoIt's Not About This LifeMan's Rules & God's LawLord of the SabbathTo Do Good or HarmWithered-Hand FaithGrace and TruthLooking for the RootsThe Wandering PathA Powerful ForceFinally!Do You See Them?Is Your Faith Enough?Ebony and Ivory
March
The Price You Pay for Free GraceThe Most Important Question of AllThe Nature of Saving FaithThe Way Down is The Way UpThe Effect of Shame on SinnersLet's Memorize Scripture!Extra CreditA Mailbox FriendBeing a NoticerInterruptionsThe Other GuysName Above All NamesCelebrateFilled to OverflowingCliffhangerTwo Dead EndsThe FeastGod's GoodnessOne Great ParableA Tale for All SinnersTwo Prayers, One JustificationGrace and HumilityCome to JesusWhat To Do?What is Worship?The Stones Would Cry OutJoyful Noise
April
The Lifting of HandsWorship Your WayGod Is The WindThe Trap of Human WisdomThe Danger of ComplacencyThe Quest for Meaning Apart from GodThe Futility of Living for the MomentThe Illusion of Self-righteousnessHe Is Risen!Lightning BugsIf?Pure WorshipStanding in LineI Surrender...Releasing ControlReplacements
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
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July
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August
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December
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