AUGUST 30, 2016

“You can avoid Jesus as Savior by keeping all the moral laws. If you do that, then you have “rights.” God owes you answered prayers, and a good life, and a ticket to heaven when you die. You don’t need a Savior who pardons you by free grace, for you are your own Savior.” 
― Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith

PSALM 142-144

David declares that God knows him completely...

7Answer me quickly, Lord;

my spirit fails.

Do not hide your face from me

or I will be like those who go down to the pit.

8Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

for to you I entrust my life.

9Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,

for I hide myself in you.

10Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God;

may your good Spirit

lead me on level ground. (143:7-10)

1 CORINTHIANS 10:14-33

The believer is no longer concerned of himself but rather the good of others...

31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

JOURNAL 

Once we become believers our motivation is no longer ourselves, because we have been forgiven and redeemed. Our motivation becomes others. The objective becomes to share with others the same forgiveness and love that we have received. That is only true if we really have accepted and surrendered to God. If not then thinking and serving others makes absolutely no sense.

7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.- 
1 JOHN 4:7-8