(10.12.20—-What About Sin?--Philippians 2,1-10) )
My friend, may I ask you a question? God’s Word calls on Christians to avoid seeking to be served. Is Christ the ultimate and divine example of what we should be?
My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day. I’m M. Clifford Brunner?
Here’s a story: In 1758 a great peace conference was called by the commonwealths of Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the midst of a terrible war between England and France. Although England had recently gained the upper hand in the struggle, there was still great concern on the part of the colonies about whether the Indians of the Ohio Valley region would side with the French or sue for peace with the English. Great names were present at this conference, including William Penn and Benjamin Franklin. However, one man, Isaac Pemberton, is a name that has long faded with the pass- ing of centuries. A Quaker and a peacemaker, he was known as a great friend of the Indians in the Allegheny and Ohio valleys by negotiating with them and suing for the best possible peace benefitting the Indians and not necessarily the state. For the most part, the majority of legislators, generals and governors assembled there, men of note and renown, were more interested in benefiting themselves.
Isaac spoke eloquently during the conference beseeching his fellow countrymen to consider the cause and needs of their Indian brethren. However, when the conference ended, although the Indian nations had sued for peace, they had done so without any of the guarantees that Pemberton had sought for them. In the end, they lost their hold on the land despite their oath of allegiance to the English Crown. Pemberton never stopped trying to help his Indian brethren but he found himself increasingly in the minority. Although the Indians never forgot his effort, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and his country did. He is remembered by few and his name has largely disappeared from history books.
God’s Word calls on Christians to look for opportunities to serve others and to avoid seeking to be served. It holds Christ up as the ultimate and divine example. The Apostle Paul writes: “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”
We live in a world wallowing in self-interest. The Pemberton's of this world, unfortunately, are still hard to find in our current newspapers and TV programs. The world talks about our “right” to do this or that. “We have a right to choose-- the right to get more, no matter what.” The sad truth is that when we are consumed by “our rights” and “our prosperity,” it is very hard to focus on the needs of others. If Jesus Christ had come to this world to be served, our salvation would have been an empty promise indeed. God asks us to be “like Christ” and to lead lives of service and commitment to others. Isaac Pemberton heeded that call and paid the price. Are you willing to pay that price today? May God grant!
We pray. Heavenly Father. We live in a world wallowing in self-interest. The world talks about our “right” to do this or that. “We have a right to choose-- the right to get more, no matter what.” The sad truth is that when we are consumed by “our rights” and “our prosperity,” it is very hard to focus on the needs of others. Forgive us Lord. Jesus came into this world to be served, so our salvation would be an empty promise indeed if we felt we deserved to be served. By Your Spirit call us to lead lives of service and commitment to others. Make us willing to pay the price for that service today? May God grant! In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
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<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.