I remember singing the old hymn, Is Your All On the Altar? and hoping desperately it was. It was a popular song at revival meetings, last day at camp, and those it’s-time-to-repent-and-get-serious-with-Jesus sermons. We’d all go forward, pledge our new-found commitment and then find a few hours, days or weeks later that we’d lost it again. We weren’t completely sold out and we’d just have to try harder.
Honestly now, I think it is one of the traps of the enemy to keep us focused on ourselves instead of living this journey in the freedom of the Spirit where we are transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory. (2 Corinthians 3)
That came up in a recent email exchange that might be of interest to some of you:
My response: I think I see this journey a bit different than you do. I don’t think any of us have completely died and given everything to God… Life with him is a process and hopefully each day more of me dies so that more of him can live through me. I expect that process to continue until he call me home, either through physical death or his physical appearing. Then and only then, when this corruptible puts on incorruptibility will it be said that I am completely his…
Until then we live in the conflict between the old Wayne and the new. Some days I live more freely in him than others. Some days he is letting some of those old things be exposed in me, so that I might learn how to lay them at his feet.
I used to think like you do—that there was some way to be totally surrendered to him. I can only surrender to him today, to the degree that I am aware how to do that. I am much more blessed knowing that is an ongoing process and not having to pretend I’m at its end. That way when new bits of his glory or Wayne’s old nature pop up, I am not discouraged. I am excited to embrace whatever new chapter and new depth he opens for me.
Sup’?
What a wonderful article/email exchange Wayne. I fee that you have explained this very clearly for all of us to get a better understanding of the truth. It is so easy to get caught up in ourselves and in the end of that thinking, believe that we are losers or even that we are so wonderful based of how good or bad we are that day. It is not what we can do, but what Jesus did and still does for us. That thinking is nothing but a self-imposed prison that does not see the daylight.
To see the light, we obviously must focus on Jesus more and less of ourselves. Jesus is where it all begins and ends. You have really encouraged me to not be so discouraged.
Thanks Wayne—J
Sup’?
What a wonderful article/email exchange Wayne. I fee that you have explained this very clearly for all of us to get a better understanding of the truth. It is so easy to get caught up in ourselves and in the end of that thinking, believe that we are losers or even that we are so wonderful based of how good or bad we are that day. It is not what we can do, but what Jesus did and still does for us. That thinking is nothing but a self-imposed prison that does not see the daylight.
To see the light, we obviously must focus on Jesus more and less of ourselves. Jesus is where it all begins and ends. You have really encouraged me to not be so discouraged.
Thanks Wayne—J
I was thinking about this blog some more this morning when I read Philippians 3:13. In it Paul states, "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead." –NKJV
I think that this pertains to dying to self even more that I imagined initially. The way I used to look at this scripture was to find grace for my shortcomings from the past, but I now believe that this scripture also represents the positive things that I may have done through God’s grace. In other words, I should not be satisfied and self-righteous about the "good things" I have done.
As Christians, we should never think that we have done our part. What we should constantly think is, what is my part, right here right now? That we we are continuously making ourselves available to reach out in any direction that God provides for us. Surrendering is a continous action done to the best of our abilities. If we fall short every now and then, then thanks be to God that He makes us worthy to find His grace and try again each and every moment.
God bless—-J
I was thinking about this blog some more this morning when I read Philippians 3:13. In it Paul states, "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead." –NKJV
I think that this pertains to dying to self even more that I imagined initially. The way I used to look at this scripture was to find grace for my shortcomings from the past, but I now believe that this scripture also represents the positive things that I may have done through God’s grace. In other words, I should not be satisfied and self-righteous about the "good things" I have done.
As Christians, we should never think that we have done our part. What we should constantly think is, what is my part, right here right now? That we we are continuously making ourselves available to reach out in any direction that God provides for us. Surrendering is a continous action done to the best of our abilities. If we fall short every now and then, then thanks be to God that He makes us worthy to find His grace and try again each and every moment.
God bless—-J
I agree….we can only surrender what we have at the moment and hope and desire to surrender all, and only if an ultimate test approaches us will we know just how committed we actually are. This page I wrote about common symbols for Jesus has helped me realize that He is not “out of reach” but easily within our grasp and He will certainly help us “give Him our all”.
http://www.karipearls.com/christian-symbols.html
I agree….we can only surrender what we have at the moment and hope and desire to surrender all, and only if an ultimate test approaches us will we know just how committed we actually are. This page I wrote about common symbols for Jesus has helped me realize that He is not “out of reach” but easily within our grasp and He will certainly help us “give Him our all”.
http://www.karipearls.com/christian-symbols.html
You guys are such an inspiration.Iv been trying 2live this picture perfect life but always fall short, then hate myself 4 it. Now i understand that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.But halleluja He stil loves us
You guys are such an inspiration.Iv been trying 2live this picture perfect life but always fall short, then hate myself 4 it. Now i understand that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.But halleluja He stil loves us
Wouldn’t one think that if someone stated “I am not going to marry someone unless they are sold out to Jesus.” Then they are setting up an impossible scenario? Because if you find someone who is truly sold out to Jesus then for them there wouldn’t be any family? Because they had devoted their life to Jesus and nothing/no one else. Your oppinions on this please.
Wouldn’t one think that if someone stated “I am not going to marry someone unless they are sold out to Jesus.” Then they are setting up an impossible scenario? Because if you find someone who is truly sold out to Jesus then for them there wouldn’t be any family? Because they had devoted their life to Jesus and nothing/no one else. Your oppinions on this please.