Sacrifice of Weakness

In the message "Remain Like a Child" we considered our need to come
to our Heavenly Father with an understanding that we have no ability
to save ourselves. We then saw our call to continually approach God
like a little child approaching a loving Father; "whoever humbles
himself like this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of
Heaven" (Matthew 18:4).

But, we say, surely God doesn't want us to remain as a
child. Doesn't He want us to grow? Absolutely! Paul addressed the
Corinthian church as worldly rather than spiritual because they were
"mere infants in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:1). The church was
experiencing many trials because they had failed to grow: "I gave you
milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. Indeed, you are
still not ready" (1 Corinthians 3:2).

God's Word never calls us to maintain the faith or spiritual
understanding of a child. These simple qualities are important, but
we must continually grow and send down the deep roots which will
weather the storm. What we are called to maintain is the simple
humility of a child. We must learn to be secure in our Father's hand
and to "approach the throne of grace with confidence" (Hebrews 4:16),
but we must never let our confidence and security lead to an
ungrateful assumption of His grace. We initially came to God weak
and helpless; and no matter how much we grow - no matter how deep our
roots - we remain weak and unable to add a single grain to the grace
which He has poured over us.

But our weakness is good! In fact, an understanding of our weakness
apart from Christ and our continued walk of weakness is one of the
few offerings we can give to our Lord.

2 Corinthians 12:9,10
"'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in
weakness.' ...That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in
weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in
difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

God has chosen to unfold His plan through the lives of His
children. We are to reflect the light of Christ into a dark and
lifeless world; "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God
were making His appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20). And the
world will best see Christ as we remove our own perceived strength
and allow the power of God to freely work through us: His power is
made perfect as I get my "self" out of the way and walk with a humble weakness.

It's interesting that one of the greatest things we can give to God
is an understanding of what we do not have. Let's strip away our
pride and once again approach Him with empty hands. Let's offer our
lives as a living sacrifice, as a humble sacrifice of weakness.

Have a Great Day!

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

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Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
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Lorena, TX 76655
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