Gregory E. Lang's Blog, page 11

Forgiveness

My friend, do not let the fact that you have been treated wrongly cause you to commit another wrong. Be gentle with those who have wronged you. If you are hard and unforgiving toward others, you are not well-positioned to seek forgiveness for yourself. Having contempt for anyone ultimately only harms you. Remember, you cannot be forgiven if you are one who cannot forgive. Not one of us deserves God’s compassion, yet we are forgiven. Christ on the cross prayed for his enemies; remember his example. Just as God forgives you, you should forgive your offenders. When you do, you give glory to God by multiplying his forgiveness. Please do not make it your business to judge and avenge, for as you judge, you too shall be judged. Instead, free yourself from a wrathful mind and strive to live peacefully with everyone. Admit that you, too, have been an offender and ask for forgiveness. Confess your faults as a demonstration of sincere sorrow and accept apologies offered to you with a merciful spirit so that God may be glorified.

Be assured that you are not forgiven only once, but each and every time you repent your sins. So be honest about your imperfections, and you will genuinely find reason to repent each and every day. And remember, mercy begets mercy, and the lack of mercy earns you nothing. Just as you are imperfect, so are those around you. Forgive your neighbors as Jesus forgives you, as often as he forgives you. You are called to be a peacemaker. If you are filled with the love of peace, it must reign in your heart and then rule in your deeds. There must be no disagreement, separation, or rebellion between you and your neighbors, for without peace, no one will see that the love of the Lord dwells in you. Live in peace so that others may see God at work through you. Be gentle to those who have wronged you, and give your family, friends, and neighbors many opportunities to redeem themselves, just as God has forgiven you so many times.  

I should point out that forgiving and forgetting are two different things; one is not dependent on the other. Do not confuse forgiving with forgetting. The wrong done to you may be so traumatic that it leaves a scar, an ugly reminder of what has happened. Believe me, the longer you delay forgiving your transgressor, the more painful the scar. But the sooner you genuinely forgive, the quicker the healing and the sooner the trauma becomes a historical fact rather than a present pain. If this seems impossible to you, I urge you to ask a fellow believer to join you in the work that is required to help you wholly and gracefully forgive. As for you, you may think yourself unworthy of forgiveness. Do not be burdened with shame; you must also be forgiving of yourself. The weight of guilt about your regrettable past is an unholy burden because the ghosts of your transgressions can haunt you into abandoning your renewal. You must let these matters go, or you will not fully enjoy the freedom you have in forgiveness. Your old self, the one from your past and before the time of your renewal, was corrupted by your imperfect judgment and unjust desires. Your new self, guided by righteous obedience, should turn away from all your former sins. Rather than feel shame, rejoice in your redemption! Look ahead, seek the will of God, and have cheer in gratitude for your salvation. Think of yourself with sober judgment but in a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline, one unafraid to be who you have become, one forgiven and saved by grace. Amen!

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Unbelieving Loved Ones

Friend, I’m sure you remember the days when you did not believe. But for the love and concern of a believer who gently introduced you to Christ, you might be lost and doomed to this very day. My heart is filled with joy that you are a believer and we are members of this great community, the Christian church. Let us not forget this is not a secret community but one meant for the world. As believers, we are charged with the role of spreading the Gospel to those who are unbelievers. Jesus instructed us to bring others to him so they may know him.

The blunt truth is not everyone you have ever encountered is in Heaven now or guaranteed to get there. Unbelievers are not there, nor will they ever be. Man without Christ cannot please God because, in unbelief, he cannot do what is pleasing to God. The Scriptures make it clear there are people who are saved and others who are lost. The saved are those who trust Jesus Christ as their eternal Savior. The lost are those who do not trust Christ as Savior. This is most difficult to accept readily, for we both know and love unbelievers. For unbelievers to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, they must understand the Gospel’s primary message. They need to understand how they are born as sinners, and it is only through Christ that they can be saved. And here is the point of this letter – if we genuinely and deeply love them, we will tell them about Jesus.

You must remember that Jesus came to your rescue when you were lost. So now, out of gratitude and love, you are called to find opportunities to do what you can to help others who do not know God, especially among those who are dearest to you. The example Jesus gave you is to build relationships with people who do not know him. When you meet a person who has not yet embraced the truth, you are to have the compassion of Jesus and extend your friendship and grace. Isolating yourself from unbelievers, including strong opposers, misses the point of sharing the good news of Jesus. You were once against God in your unbelief, yet God was gracious to you. Be motivated, then, to share the good news of Christ. And do not just wait for an opportunity to present itself to you; instead, create those opportunities in all you do. Sharing the Gospel is not a hobby or a season but a full-time occupation. For the benefit of those unbelievers you love, this is worthy work to which you must commit yourself.

How do you engage with the unbeliever? Gently and wisely because the reputation of the Gospel depends on you. The world judges Christianity by what it sees in you. Represent it well with kindness, holiness, and reverence to the Lord. Your conduct before an unbeliever should be steeped in grace, your speech overflowing with wisdom. Be humble, loving, caring, kind, and gentle. Your outreach to every person should be fitting to the occasion. Do not hijack a conversation or situation, especially when your audience is not in the mood to listen to you. It is essential to know when not to speak. It is often best to simply listen to someone and wait for a better time. Trust the Holy Spirit; he will guide you in this matter.

I should tell you to prepare yourself for rejection. Christians are called narrow-minded because they believe there is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ. You will be ridiculed, if not outright persecuted, for speaking this truth, perhaps even by members of your own family. Yet, despite these attacks, you are to love and have forbearance. You are not required to convert people; your only requirement is to tell the truth. When you are rejected, insulted, or persecuted, the proper response is to pray for your opposer. In his abundant grace and mercy, God can and will intervene in the lives of unbelievers in response to your prayers. Walk piously among unbelievers so that they may judge you with favor and may themselves be converted to Christ. 

Friend, I am not writing only about the unbeliever; I include the lukewarm in my message. Some do not oppose Christ but do not have a passion for him either. Many come from Christian backgrounds and have an idea of who Jesus is but may have never seen the need for him to assure their salvation. They must know that their works and religious practices do not lead to salvation. It is not a thing to be earned. They have to come to know and believe in Jesus. This is where you come in. Remind them that salvation is a gift from God and only by the grace of Jesus Christ.

Before I go, let me remind you that if you truly love anyone, you will tell them about Jesus. Beloved, I urge you to face the people and tell them something worth hearing: how to have an eternal life. People in every corner of the world are looking for a truth that inspires hope. Let them hear it and praise God if anyone is led to Christ. Amen.

Want to learn more? Purchase your copy of Letters to a Friend here.

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Evangelism

Beloved, on these matters, I have much to tell you. It is written, “I believed; therefore, I have spoken,” (Psalm 116:10, 2 Corinthians 4:13). Let these words remind you that your faith is not only to be enjoyed silently in your daily thoughts but is to be shared with others in publicly spoken words. God’s plan for man’s salvation and reconciliation to himself was never meant to be a secret. Jesus preached to thousands in the name of the Father, warning, teaching, and healing them. He instructed his disciples to go out and make disciples of all nations, and they, in turn, instructed us to share and teach the Scriptures. This instruction is given to you as well. At some point in your life, you will encounter an opportunity to tell someone about the Christian faith, and you must be prepared to do so in a way they can understand and accept as truth. The Holy Spirit will work within you as you share the good news; therefore, have faith, speak publicly, and good words will come forth from your mouth. Faith in the Gospel, nourished in the heart and openly confessed, will secure your salvation. Your belief must be more than a mental exercise; it should bring all your fiber into a loving trust and willing obedience to Christ. As often as you can, share the good news of the Gospel.

All around us are people who have never heard that God loves them and desires an abundant life for them. Most people you know do their best to live decent lives while searching for meaning and purpose. When they see that you have found meaning and purpose in Jesus, they will likely want to know how they can have the same joy you have. They need to hear the good news. The Lord asks you to tell others about him so that you can spread his message to the world. At all times, conduct yourself as though you belong to the Lord, and when asked why you behave as you do, eagerly explain his influence in your life. Use encouraging, motivating words; let Christ be honored and praised in your answer, claiming him as the reason for your hope. Don’t be embarrassed or shy; seek to please God instead of men with what you say. Sure, some will disagree with you but do not be discouraged. Your job is to spread the Word, not accomplish the conversion yourself. Love and be at peace with everyone, including dissenters, and leave the changing of hearts to Jesus.

The work of evangelism is hard, but to shy away from it is to leave room for lies and chaos to fill the spaces where the truth should be. Therefore, boast of the Word and its teachings about Christ. Fear no evil and defend the truth. Embrace your responsibility as one who is saved. Sharing your joy with others and loving others as Jesus loves you is not only a form of thanksgiving and praise but also a way to cause others to wonder what you are so happy about. If you are moved by the power of faith and the constant comfort found in the presence of Christ, you should eagerly tell others about him. The Gospel message is not meant for a few favored ones but for everyone, so share it! May you always be alert and wise about seizing good opportunities to share the Gospel. Amen. 

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Worship and Discipleship

God is majestic, omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. He is all-knowing. He is present everywhere. He is powerful in every way. He is worthy of glory and honor and praise. This is the reason for worship, to give the Father his due. Beloved friend, I encourage you to keep company with fellow believers, especially in the church. Christian worship is a community where believers share in the common experience of praising God and expressing their love, gratitude, and devotion to him. You were not created to be alone; you are meant to live in community. Worship is a holy activity, and the church is the place where you will experience blessings not to be found elsewhere, for there are some graces and blessings that God gives only in the meeting together with other believers. Worshipping God means you are ascribing worthiness to God for who he is and for what he has done for you. Make worship a priority in your life. Worship also serves as a reminder of God’s love, grace, and power, and it helps to strengthen your faith and deepen your relationship with him. Through worship, you will experience encouragement and support from others, and you will be reminded that you are not alone in your faith journey.

Worship takes many forms, including singing, prayer, reading Scripture, preaching, and participating in the sacraments. It is an act of humility and surrender as you acknowledge your dependence on God and your gratitude for all he has done for you. Thus, worship helps realign your focus on God and his purposes and puts your worries, doubts, and fears into perspective. It will also help you prepare for another responsibility: to disciple those new to or weak in the faith.

Your spiritual health and well-being will eventually motivate you to the worthy work of making disciples. Discipleship involves serving and reaching out to others as a representative of Christ. As you grow in your faith, you are called to share it with others to help them grow in their faith as well. Simply put, you are to put your faith into action and be an example of Jesus to the world. This is accomplished through the joint study of the Bible and offering guidance as a spiritual mentor. As you mentor others in the faith, helping to interpret and apply the teachings of Jesus in your lives and circumstances, you become more like Jesus in your thoughts, words, and actions, and better able to reflect his love and grace to everyone. If you establish a regular practice of discipleship, you will help raise up the next generation of believers to follow Jesus earnestly. 

New Christians often know little about the faith they profess to believe. Your challenge is teaching and training them and investing your heartfelt best interest in them. Your concern for them will help deepen and grow their faith in Christ as the newer believer follows your example of a seasoned Christian who has already walked through many of life’s everyday challenges. Through discipleship, you will introduce accountability into the new believer’s life, beginning with the basics and urging them toward a deeper understanding of Christian theology. This is a lot of responsibility, but you are up to it. And the Holy Spirit will help you. Fear not!

Friend, as more believers understand and live out Jesus’ teachings, our churches will become more vital and faithful to our Lord. Worship and discipleship should be ongoing activities throughout your life. I pray that you will delight in them always. May it be so!

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Faithfulness and Fidelity

Friend, this letter is of great importance. I must warn you that in the matter of faith, divided loyalties of any kind will lead you astray. Turn quickly from the temptation to cherry-pick attractive morsels from the various religions and philosophies of the world and instead submit yourself wholly and willfully only to God. You are to rid yourself of your former ways of life and put on a new self, one created to be like God in righteousness and holiness devoted to the only truth, his Word. Do not complicate your life with unholy philosophies and alliances; rather, commit yourself exclusively to the one and only true God. Anything less than this is most unfaithful and counterproductive for the Christian. You should be willing and able to defend your religion in the righteous fear of God. Never give in to the urge to cast God aside in favor of worldly allures and popular but unholy convictions. Let there be no room for other fears, especially rejection, to result in your disloyalty to God, your Creator.

This faithfulness, I mean to impress upon you, is a hallmark of the Christian life. It is the quality of being loyal, devoted, and committed to God, his teachings only, and his purpose only for the entirety of your life. Faithfulness is not only about being loyal to God but also being loyal to your commitments, whether they are to your family, friends, or community. Faithfulness is the forerunner of trust; thus, it is an important ingredient in our relationship with God. It confirms that you believe in him alone, that you rely on him alone, and that you are confident enough with his promises that you have no need for a safety net.

The evidence that you have a saving knowledge of Christ is loyal obedience to his commandments, including loving God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind. You see, there is no part of you to be left for anything else. Although saved, we remain imperfect people who continue to be tempted by our sinful nature. Do not take salvation for granted and act as though you are unchanged. Train yourself to be godly, obey the Word, and rise above your nature, demonstrating your renewal so that others may wish to follow your example of faithfulness. Your singular loyalty to God is the sign of your sheer delight and joyful thankfulness for your salvation.

Let me remind you now that a Christian marriage is a relationship of mutual obligations entered into in the presence of God. Each spouse must offer to the other what is necessary to honor the vows entered into before God. Indeed, one of the most evident ways a Christian displays faithfulness is in the care and attention given to nurturing and protecting the marriage. Your spouse is a great blessing given to you so that you may more fully enjoy your life. Honor and treasure that blessing. You are called to love your spouse just as Christ loved the church, with loving devotion and lifelong fidelity. Love and give yourself to your spouse in absolute faithfulness, as it pleases the Lord. Finally, my friend, rejoice in the Lord and celebrate the power of the Gospel to comfort one who has turned to Christ. Thanks be to God for the victory over sin and death through Christ! Amen.

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Rest

Along with living in simplicity, you must make time to rest. I do not mean naps or brief periods of mindless pause. I mean intentionally planning for and setting aside time to number your blessings, to study and meditate on the teachings of Christ, and to give thanks for your salvation. Jesus does want you to work but does not want you to be forever weary and burdened; he wants you to enjoy rest. He gave himself as an example for finding rest not only for your body, but also your soul. Even God rested from his glorious works of creation. God gives the weekly Sabbath to remind you of his never-ending faithful provision. Honor the Sabbath and rest.

Believe me, to truly hear and understand God’s voice, you need to be still and quiet your mind. True rest is a source of refreshment, a time for rejuvenation, and a means to a better relationship with God and other people. Rest affords you the time to recognize current difficulties as momentary afflictions compared to the eternal rest that awaits you in Heaven. Rest is an opportunity to reflect on God’s goodness and deepen your relationship with him. To rest restoratively is to focus your mind on Jesus and the perfect, painless, and joyful future that awaits all who follow him.

Friend, it can be particularly difficult to rest when the circumstances of life lead to conflict with others, fears of all the things that could go wrong, or anxiety about what others may expect of you. God desires rest for you because deep, relaxing rest in the face of these difficulties will not come naturally to you. To rest, you must trust that he will take care of critical things for you. You must trust that if you take a day off, the world will not break down and spin into chaos. To experience deep rest, you must be attentive and intentional about what thoughts fill your mind. You should think about things that are good and true and beautiful, and imagine the glorious future that awaits all those who rest in Christ. 

If you lack rest, you will suffer physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Physical and mental exhaustion often lead to emotional turmoil, including anger, bitterness, and impatience. The lack of rest will certainly cause tension in your most important relationships, including your relationship with God. You must establish a rhythm of work and rest to live up to your potential. Work gives you the opportunity to partner with God in his goals for creation, while rest lets you enter communion with God in the enjoyment of his creation. Too much work and all becomes drudgery. Not enough rest, and you will not be as thankful as you should be. 

A last word — rest is essential for your spiritual well-being. It allows you to have a clear mind, to renew your heart and spirit, and to boldly face the challenges of your coming days and weeks. May you rest often in the deep well of peace and assurance that God is all that you need. Amen.

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Work

Everyone is to work so that he might provide for himself and not be a burden to others, but also, and perhaps more importantly, to be able to help others in their time of need. In all that you do, you are a representative of Christ; therefore, in whatever work you apply yourself, do it with all your heart as though you are working for the Lord. To this end, spare no time, self-denial, or effort, for it pleases the Lord when you do your work well. Work is not only an opportunity to serve God and others, but it also allows you to fulfill your purpose on Earth. By using your talents and abilities to work, you fulfill the purpose that God created you for. Your work is a way to serve and make a positive impact in the world for the increase of glory to God.

Do as much as you can in line with your blessings and abilities, no matter how high or low the task may be, with joy in your heart, knowing you are a model of Christ’s great love and mercy. You cannot do everything, but you can do something. Do something and do it well, even if the task seems small. The good deeds demonstrated in the course of your work may well be a pivotal moment of inspiration to someone else.

Friend, you are also called to be a responsible steward of the gifts and talents that God has given you. This includes using your abilities and resources to work for the betterment of yourself, your family, and your community. Through your commitment to work, you have the opportunity to serve and glorify God. You are blessed with gifts as you are best able to use them, just as others are blessed with different gifts for different uses. God’s gifts to us vary in manner and form, but all should be committed to the service of the Lord. Use your gifts in your work, and you will find delight in your labor. This pleases the Lord.

Consider this — to occupy yourself in honest labor is the best remedy for a dishonest life. I do not think you are dishonest, but I do think the avoidance of work leads to scheming thoughts and worse, manipulation of others for selfish benefit. Both are harmful to your growth as a Christian. Instead, work hard so that you might become better able to help others. To do something for someone in need is pleasing to Christ. When you do for others, your good deeds motivated by faith will be witnessed by many. This, too, pleases the Lord. Lend your helping hands as often as you are able, doing whatever is needed. If you render good service anywhere to anyone, the Lord will see that you are rewarded.

Friend, there is no doubt that, at times, work may seem fruitless and exhausting. I tell you, that may be the time that you should lean into it more. Work teaches discipline, responsibility, and perseverance. These are important qualities for leading an exemplary Christian life. Laziness is not a virtue, and neither is taking advantage of others so that you might work less. I encourage you to work and work hard. I pray you find joy in your toil, so much joy that your work hardly seems like toil at all. May it be so!

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Patience

Friend, the Lord is full of compassion and mercy but works in his own time. Resist impatience, stand firm in your conviction, and remain confident as you wait. The faith that endures earns the crown. Remember God’s promise: he will not burden you with more than you can bear. Under God’s plan, all things, even your sorrow, trials, and persecutions, work together for your blessing.

Do nothing that would discourage others from turning to Christ, but instead, let the Holy Spirit use you to inspire others to follow Christ. If your heart is filled with love, patience will be one of your defining qualities and the reason why others draw nearer to you. Your abundant patience with others leaves time for anger and impulse to fade away. Pray that your patience will increase, for you will certainly need much more than you might think.

Patience is a virtue that is often easier described than lived out, but it is a virtue that is so necessary for your spiritual growth. Patience allows you to wait on the Lord and to place your trust in him. In this fast-paced world, it can be difficult to slow down and wait for things to unfold in their own time. But as a Christian, you are called to have patience and trust in God’s timing and plan for your life. It is important to remember that God’s timing is not your own. You must be patient and trust that he will bring about the best result in his perfect timing. In praying for increased patience and faith, your relationship with God will deepen, and you will find peace in knowing that he is in control of all your circumstances.

Patience will help you to control your emotions and reactions, rather than leaving you to act impulsively. Patience allows you to take a step back and consider a challenging situation from a broader perspective, rather than getting caught up in the narrow focus of an emotional moment. Patience can help you to understand and empathize with others, rather than to judge or criticize them quickly and harshly. Patience helps you to persevere and bounce back from difficult situations, rather than giving up easily. Patience will help you to trust in God’s plan and timing, rather than trying to control everything with your own means and plans. Have patience, and you will have peace. Have I convinced you yet of the importance of patience?

Remarkably, when your faith is tested, your patience has an opportunity to grow. Friend, this means that patience and faith go hand-in-hand. Through trials and difficulties, your patience and faith will be tested, but if you trust in God and have patience, you will become stronger in your faith. Be faithful and patient and submit to his timing, and he will not forget you nor lead you astray. Amen.

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Service

Friend, Christ demonstrated his love by serving others. Everywhere he went, he took care of the immediate needs of all whom he encountered. He did not first require their acknowledgment of his deity or expect something in return for his deeds. He simply took care of people as he saw the need to do so. You should do likewise. Do good deeds simply because good deeds need to be done, not to gain recognition from men or rewards in Heaven. It is the deed motivated by grace and humility that shines and pleases God. Be careful not to do righteous and generous things only because you seek applause and praise. Take an honest look at your motives and choose to humble yourself before others, for God lifts up the humble servant. Remember that it is one thing to serve others motivated only by the goal of being a good person, and quite another to serve because you are moved by deep Christian love. The latter is much more noble than the former. The call to all Christians is to do good deeds, with those deeds wrapped in love, not for any personal gain whatsoever, including self-satisfaction (even praising yourself in your private thoughts is to seek your own glory). Recall your purpose and do good deeds to bring glory to God.

Let me point out that there are many burdens: financial, spiritual, emotional, and physical. To the extent you are able, help lighten others’ burdens, whatever they may be. Serve not because you must but because you are willing and eager to be of help to your fellow man, your neighbor, in honor of Christ. Again, Christ demonstrated his love by serving others, and he offered his life to save yours. Therefore, with a heart grateful for your salvation, care for others, serving them as often as you can, all the while urging them on to their own good deeds. When you are serving others, not only can you put your faith into action and help others see the ways in which God is working in the world, you will find opportunities to explain why you do what you may be doing. Blessed be the day that you explain to someone that it is not your goodness, but Christ alive in you — that is the reason for your service.

I should remind you that you, just as I am, even though saved in Christ and committed to Christian ideals, are a broken person as long as you are alive in this world. That means that you will continue to wrestle with things that are not holy, including anger and resentment when someone appears ungrateful for what you have done for them. Be careful here, for that reaction is fueled by selfish judgment that all too quickly may lead to wrath. It is best to be merciful in your thoughts. Perhaps your beneficiary does not know how to express gratitude or is slow to trust your motive. Be patient and forgiving, and continue on in willing service knowing that God in Heaven is pleased with you. Remember always that he is who you serve, and your deeds are never unnoticed. May all the angels rejoice as they witness your acts of service! May the Lord be pleased to greet you with these words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Amen.

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Generosity and Sacrifice

Child of God, the Lord gave himself for you, what shall you give for him? All that you have is not your own but was provided to you by God. He created everything; nothing is the handiwork of man outside the influence of God. Yes, he even invented money. And money, as well as anything else you have, is provided to you not only to assure your comfort and entertainment but also to prosper you so that you may be a help to others. Make the needs of others your own and help them, giving freely and cheerfully. Share what he has given you, and, in the process, please and honor him who has made you rich in Heaven.

Jesus told us to use our earthly resources to gain friends by making a real difference in their lives, and then lead them to him. Therefore, do not hold on tightly to what you have been blessed with, but share it for the greater good. The resources that God has entrusted to you should be used honorably and in a manner that is glorifying to him. To share is more than being nice; it is a form of thanksgiving and praise. Make the needs of others your concern and share as needed to provide relief from an immediate crisis. Let me emphasize share as needed, which may be more than you think you can let go of. Friend, letting go is the very point. Do not hoard for yourself for that brings no glory to God. Give, and then give some more. Such sacrifices please the Lord and bring glory to his name. Share more than just your treasure and possessions, but your heart, counsel, talent, and time, too. Your free and cheerful sharing of God’s gifts to you will indeed be a blessing to others, and to you as well.

Be careful to avoid using charity to heap praise upon yourself or to manipulate others for your devious uses. Generosity without God in it may be your way of seeking praise, to prove to yourself and others what a good person you are, or to gain an advantage. If these are your motives, your reward will be fleeting. Greed and ambition are worldly strivings that will only bring discontent to your heart. Your inner peace will be destroyed by a heart of discontent if you are spurred on in the pursuit of your own glory.

Every day, you will be tempted to think of and take care of yourself first. Does your mind busy itself with obsessions about how others may benefit you? Are you willing to sacrifice someone for your gain, or yourself for the sake of someone else? When you are faced with these questions, ask yourself, “Who is able to fill you with significance, man, or God?” Why would you be willing to be poured out and left with less in the evening than you had in the morning? Because it pleases the Lord. Why does it please the Lord? Your willing sacrifice of any of your resources shows that you have freed yourself of selfish motives and chosen to live a life aiming only to please God. When you are motivated only by your love of God, no sacrifice is too great, and no humiliation too painful. Sacrifice for the benefit of others out of reverence for Christ and give freely and unselfishly as he gave himself freely and unselfishly for you. Friend, set aside today any thoughts of worldly rewards and remember that whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Do not hesitate to give yourself away, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. May he always be well pleased with you! Amen.

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