Gods work!
For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to
work for His good pleasure. Phil. 2:13
Oh, how we are thoroughly deceived by our own heart, if we do not
let it be corrected by the Word of God!
It always seems to be our nearest thought, to count on ourselves,
our will, our contribution, our work - which we loves to consider to be
good!
Such also, even for those who have had to let them be saved as
helpless and lost sinners - that idea comes, that the Lord now have put
me on the way, from here it depends on my contribution and Gods help. As
you know, the Word of God speaks so much about growth, calls us to
prayer and reading of the Bible etc.
No matter how «reasonable» this sounds, it is in fact not in
accordance with the Word of God! It preaches on the contrary, that it is
God who works this! Our own contribution works on the contrary
what displeases Him - namely that our old self - that which was
crucified with Christ - comes to life again, and get to work. And where
that happens, you will soon see that the testimony about Jesus is
constantly less filled with Spirit and glow, while the focus on own
doing grows.
It is true, you are called to seek Him in the Word and in prayer,
and you must as a Christian not neglect this, but you are called there
to get, not for to give! - To receive, not to
contribute!
Our text today is a call to rest! - You shall know that the Word of
Jesus stands firm, despite all that your own reason tells you: «Abide in
Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it
abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. "I am the
vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears
much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.» (John 15:4-5).
Listen to the Word, how reasonable it is: The branch that
abides in the tree, must bear fruit! - No branch that abides in
the tree, can be without fruit!
How paradoxical this may sound, it is still the case: This is not a
word to passivity, but to rest!
Ask for light on this today, if you do not have it! You will get
what you ask Him for!
E.K.
Holy Bible New American Standard
Version
Translator: E.K. |
