Service please? (01.21.21—Service!--Romans 6: 19-23)
My friend, may I ask you a question? What then is the key to staying on the right path, the path that will lead us away from slavery to our bodies and the sinful lusts of this life and into true freedom.?
My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day. I’m M. Clifford Brunner
During the Civil War Union troops with few exceptions spent most of their fighting and bivouac time within the realm of the Confederacy. With the exception of several major battle fought in Pennsylvania and the border states of Maryland and Kentucky, the war ravaged on for four long years largely within the South. When the war commenced in 1861, most Union soldiers enlisted with one and only one thought in mind; they wanted to preserve the Union and quell the rebellion that had started in South Carolina. There was little thought given to the possibility that they would be fighting to “free the slaves.” In fact, many Union troops came from areas of the North where bigotry and discrimination were commonplace. In turn, the Confederate troops similarly felt that the war had begun over a question of state’s rights and had nothing to do with slavery. They were fighting to preserve their “right” to succeed if they so chose. On September 17, 1862, the two armies met at a little town called Sharpsburg and finally the Union army could at least claim a partial victory. President Lincoln then made the declaration that all slaves in Southern states would henceforth be declared free..
In this world of sin and slavery to every evil thing, it is hard for a Christian to experience the freedom that God has granted us through His Son, Jesus Christ. There is the “small” matter of our bodies. Christ has freed us from our slavery; we are declared absolved and worthy of His righteousness. Yet, in reality, the world does not recognize that freedom. In fact, it strives to enslave us all over again. What then is the key to staying on the right path, the path that will lead us away from slavery and into true freedom.
Author Richard Foster writes. “Of all the classical Spiritual Disciplines, service is the most conductive to the growth of humility. When we set out on a consciously chosen course of action that accents the good of other and is for the most part a hidden work, a deep change occurs in our spirit. Nothing disciplines the inordinate desires of the flesh like service, and nothing transforms the desires of the flesh like serving in hiddenness. The flesh whines against service but screams against hidden service. It strains and pulls for honor and recognition. It will devise subtle, religiously acceptable means to call attention to the service rendered … The flesh whines against service but screams against hidden service. It strains and pulls for honor and recognition. It will devise subtle, religiously acceptable means to call attention to the service rendered. If we stoutly refuse to give in to this lust of the flesh, we crucify it. Every time we crucify the flesh, we crucify our pride and arrogance.”
(Richard Foster)
The secret to being free in our bodies and staying free is doing just what those black soldiers did back in 1863. We need to devote ourselves to service. Every battle that we fight, every hard and weary mile that we walk is one more step toward crucifying the flesh and putting it into subjection. If you want a body that is truly free, try putting it to work in the Lord’s vineyard. “Nothing disciplines the inordinate desires of the flesh like service!”
We pray. Heavenly Father. Heavenly Father, although we live in the freedom of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our bodies often don’t reflect that freedom. Sin continues to make us slaves to the world and our flesh. Give us opportunity, O Lord, to serve You, to do Your will, that we might crucify the sinful desires of the flesh and start leading lives that are truly free! We pray this in Jesus name. 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.