November 21
-1 CORINTHIANS 15:31
Paul might have buckled under the pressure. He certainly grew weary. He certainly was misunderstood, rejected, and persecuted. He suffered so much. What kept him going? Verse 29 of Colossians 1 says, “To this end I labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” He labors, and he strives. That’s the way Paul was. Laboring and striving, even when he was laboring and striving for the wrong things, he was absolutely dedicated to the mission. But there is something more extraordinary at work in Paul, something more than sheer willpower or determination.
I tell you willpower will only take you so far. Willpower is overrated. We need something else, something supernatural, something that does not rely upon my limited willpower. What was it? “I strive according to HIS WORKING which works in me mightily.” It was not the strength of Paul, but the strength of Christ in Paul, and through this Christ, Paul said, “I can do all things” (Philippians 4:13). All things!
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The church I used to attend were more interested in building up the children’s and youths self esteem than they were teaching the young people how to deny self in today’s world. I believe the reason for this lack of teaching is because the pastors and teachers don’t choose to give up their life for a life of suffering and self denial, so how can they possibly teach it to others. Parents that “sit under” this kind of teaching cannot teach their own children and the vicious cycle continues. People would rather be lazy and follow men than to study the bible and by faith yield to the Spirit of God. Dying daily is not something people are truly willing to do for the cause of Christ or for their own souls.
I wholeheartedly agree with you Sherry. It seems that we are quick to label any group or church gathering as a “Cult”; yet are unable to see that “the Cult of the Child” now exists within the majority of Denominations worldwide! Not only do we give the wrong message to children today; but we teach adults to “just be as a little child” because that is what Jesus honors in His Kingdom. No wonder why we have so many Christians who are still taking in but “the milk of the Word”, and ignoring all spiritual growth and maturity! No wonder that not one of them ever shares their testimony with others! Like children they are too afraid to talk to strangers! Dying daily? Like self indulgent children they would rather “hoard the few crumbs that fall from the Master’s table” all to themselves! Self denial is a joke when everyone only cares about their free Doughnut and coffee! Lord Jesus, please help those who take your name upon themselves to truly surrender to you and not to popular public conventions that weaken rather than build up their souls. Amen.
I don’t know anyone’s particular pastor so I can’t judge in that regard but speaking from experience most pastors are afraid to tell parents how to raise Godly children because parents won’t stand for it. How dare you tell them their child is a sinner and needs discipline. The majority of mainline churches would run a pastor off for doing that and since he’s a hireling he thinks more of his job than truth. If a man of God stands before his congregation and speaks the truth he better be ready to suffer the consequences. They’ll crucify him fast. That’s why we just have to “Come out from among them and be separate” and take the responsibility of teaching our families on our own shoulders like God intends for us to do.
I agree with you both Sherry and Timothy, thanks Chip also great message, not sure I can live up to what Paul went through, but only through Jesus otherwise I would have given up years ago
It is always the power and strength of the Spirit of Christ in us, who is always with us, in every situation, it is him who helps us resist the enemy and overcome in all of our needs. Thank you Jesus.
As much for our proverb and the “encouragement” of the Christians saying “when one wants one can” – I suspected that it was wrong… Yipee!