Dear Church Family –
Thanks for a great night of Christmas music at church last night! Some great new Christmas songs, some solid classics, and thoughtful narration helped us think about the road to Bethlehem that Mary and Joseph and Shepherds and soldiers took, and our own road to Christ coming into our lives to live.
I was still thinking about that this morning when I read today’s entry in the classic devotional book, “My Utmost for His Highest,” by Oswald Chambers. His reference to “no royal road I can take…, no smooth and well–marked path,” made me think of the road to Bethlehem. Here’s some excerpts.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. – Galatians 5:24
The natural life isn’t sinful; the disposition that rules the natural life is sinful. Sin belongs to hell and the devil, while I, as a child of God, belong to heaven and God and the disposition he has put in me. I must have nothing to do with sin in any shape or form. This isn’t a question of giving up sin, per se, but rather of giving up my right to myself. I have to give up my natural independence and self–assertiveness; this is where the battle must be fought.
The natural life can be made spiritual only through sacrifice. If I fail to resolutely sacrifice the natural, the supernatural can never become natural in me. There’s no royal road I can take to get there, no smooth and well–marked path. I must make my own way. Sacrifice is not a question of praying but of performing; I have to strive if I wish to attain the highest goal.
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh.” If you want to belong to Christ, it’s going to cost the natural part of you everything, not just something. When Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves” (Matthew 16:24), he meant that those who want to be his must entirely give up their right to themselves. Beware of refusing to go to the funeral of your independence.
We’re praying today for Christians in Syria. Rebels have toppled the government (which was supported by Russia).
Sharing the road together for Christ and His life - Pastor Tim
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