Do you love Me? —John 21:17
This is the question that Oswald Chambers unpacks in his devotional today, My Utmost for His Highest. https://utmost.org/modern-classic/the-piercing-question/
He touches on how Peter’s denial of Christ is an example of how fragile our devotion really is. Here is part of Oswald’s entry: “But the true love within our inner spiritual self can be discovered only by experiencing the hurt of this question of Jesus Christ.
Unless we are experiencing the hurt of facing every deception about ourselves, we have hindered the work of the Word of God in our lives. The Word of God inflicts hurt on us more than sin ever could, because sin dulls our senses. But this question of the Lord intensifies our sensitivities to the point that this hurt produced by Jesus is the most exquisite pain conceivable. It hurts not only on the natural level, but also on the deeper spiritual level. "For the Word of God is living and powerful . . . , piercing even to the division of soul and spirit . . ."— to the point that no deception can remain (Hebrews 4:12).
There is never any mistaking the pain of the Lord’s Word by His children, but the moment that pain is felt is the very moment at which God reveals His truth to us.”
There is so much sin and brokenness in me that sometimes I feel like I’ll never turn the corner of humility. I am still the old Peter, declaring boldly my love for Christ, as if I’m all that. Striving, instead of abiding. I will always have at least a kernel of desire for others to like me, to respect me. Will I ever be able to allow Christ’s love to flow freely through me, unhindered by my flesh?
Undo me Lord. I need more of you and less of me. When will you tire of dealing with me, Jesus? Thank you for your long-suffering! Make me the kind of man that you want me to be. Don’t stop pursuing my heart! I rest in knowing that you are my hope and you give me hope. “…on this rock I will build my church” (Matt16:18).
This is the question that Oswald Chambers unpacks in his devotional today, My Utmost for His Highest. https://utmost.org/modern-classic/the-piercing-question/
He touches on how Peter’s denial of Christ is an example of how fragile our devotion really is. Here is part of Oswald’s entry: “But the true love within our inner spiritual self can be discovered only by experiencing the hurt of this question of Jesus Christ.
Unless we are experiencing the hurt of facing every deception about ourselves, we have hindered the work of the Word of God in our lives. The Word of God inflicts hurt on us more than sin ever could, because sin dulls our senses. But this question of the Lord intensifies our sensitivities to the point that this hurt produced by Jesus is the most exquisite pain conceivable. It hurts not only on the natural level, but also on the deeper spiritual level. "For the Word of God is living and powerful . . . , piercing even to the division of soul and spirit . . ."— to the point that no deception can remain (Hebrews 4:12).
There is never any mistaking the pain of the Lord’s Word by His children, but the moment that pain is felt is the very moment at which God reveals His truth to us.”
There is so much sin and brokenness in me that sometimes I feel like I’ll never turn the corner of humility. I am still the old Peter, declaring boldly my love for Christ, as if I’m all that. Striving, instead of abiding. I will always have at least a kernel of desire for others to like me, to respect me. Will I ever be able to allow Christ’s love to flow freely through me, unhindered by my flesh?
Undo me Lord. I need more of you and less of me. When will you tire of dealing with me, Jesus? Thank you for your long-suffering! Make me the kind of man that you want me to be. Don’t stop pursuing my heart! I rest in knowing that you are my hope and you give me hope. “…on this rock I will build my church” (Matt16:18).
posted by Bob Beard | 6:02 PM
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