Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Monday, September 5, 2016
We are focusing on getting to know God from the perspective of John the beloved.
Today’s Scripture Focus: “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:38–40).
You are extremely important to God! While there are many ways of demonstrating this reality, I would like to focus on the intent of Jesus’ first advent. He came from heaven to do His Father’s will—save us. All of the ministry, pain, suffering, hardships, and work He encountered was for your benefit. God really did love the world so much that He gave His Son to save us. While we were at our worst, God gave His best.
How Does God Want To Use You In The Lives Of Others?
For too often, we don’t consider God’s will for our lives, especially as it relates to others. Is there a neighbor you are supposed to help? Are there youth you need to guide because their parents are absent or too busy? Are there co-workers under the boss’s scrutiny that you can help do a better job before they get fired? Does your spouse need a listening ear? It’s hard to cram anything more into our schedules. But, if we do not take our cues from God, making time to serve others, the devil has already fit them into his.
God’s will is for us to drink deeply of His Spirit to lead others closer to Him, where they can be delivered from the clutches of the enemy. Will you make yourself available?
Can you imagine? Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, agonizing over one critical question: would He put His needs before God’s will for Him?
Following The Selfless Example Of Jesus
The Father’s will meant that Jesus would have to die for sins He did not commit. He would have to become sin for a human family of rebels and most of them would neither appreciate nor accept His sacrifice. Would He submit to the bitter end of that process, or allow sinners to die in their sins? Since you are experiencing this devotional thought more than 2,000 years after that fateful day, you realize Jesus chose the former. He decided to accept the charge to complete His assignment regardless of the consequences.
If Jesus, the sinless One, could put self aside to save you, can we aim to follow? I have to ask myself that question every day. May the Lord help us not to merely ask that question of ourselves, but answer it to the glory of God.
