Submission

Saturday, August 31, 2024

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: Ephesians 2:19

19 So now you non-Jewish people are not visitors or strangers, but you are citizens together with God’s holy people. You belong to God’s family.

Memory verse: Psalm 42:2(New American Bible )

"My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When can I enter and see the face of God?"

Today's reading: Psalm 135-136 1 Corinthians 12

Maturity by Submission

How mature are you in Christ? Some folks judge others(which is wrong to begin with, Matthew 7:1) because they don't practice certain things that the 'judging' practice. Some folks believe church should be very structured and solemn. Some practice the outward gifts of the Spirit, tongues, interpretation, etc.

Some of us believe a worship service should be open and free as long as the people honor God in Christ in the presence of the Holy Spirit and treat His Holy Word as infallible.

To begin with, a worship service is only as real as the personal worship of the worshipper is outside of corpaorate worship. Then, how mature are you as a worshipper?

Romans 12:1&2 says that our being a 'living sacrifice' is our real spiritual worship.

How spiritual is my living?

1 Corinthians 3:1 "Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly--as infants in Christ.(This addresses maturity.)

Galatians 6:1: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.”

Instead of looking at maturity or the word 'spiritual', let's look at 'transgression'.

It means a lapse, a slip, a falling away. Falling away from what? Falling away from a commited walk with Christ.

A slip of what? A slip caused by not watching closely enough where we are walking.

A lapse of what? Consciousness or commitment to Christ.

So, let's make a statement based on what we just read.

"Spiritually maturity is based on one's degree of commitment and submission to Christ Jesus our Lord."

Wait...we did not say anything about how loudly we sing or pray or how much money we give or how often we speak in tongues. We did notspeak of how much we have written or read about tearing down strongholds or 'high places' even how many folks we have lead to the Lord Jesus...

No, the Lord makes things happen through those who are a living sacrifice to Him-those who are submitted to Him-constantly conscious of Him as Master of their lives.

Those who are really submitted to Christ don't seek maturity-they seek Christ. Christ makes everything else happen for His glory-not ours. The more we understand 'hallowing His name', the more we understand commitment.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Forgive me my weak submission. Teach me more, oh great God, of how to hallow Your name as You reveal more of Your kingdom's ways. I crave your righteous bread. Lead me away from the evil one and into Your glory.

Glorious and great God,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen