October 28: THE TOP PRIORITY: SURRENDER TO CHRIST

Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40

The wonderful practicality of God’s word cannot be overstated. Paul’s words to the church at Corinth were specifically addressing the purpose of the worship service which includes the edification and spiritual growth of believers as well as sharing truth with the unbeliever or the uninformed.

Our worship of the ‘Giver of All Good Things’ carries directly over into the areas of outreach and service to others. As stewards of grace and truth, as well as tangible resources, our witness must center upon the Lord’s redemptive power. To extend mercy to someone in need of it (and who doesn’t need mercy?) reminds us like nothing else of God’s great mercy toward us.

“The Lord could carry forward His work without our cooperation. He is not dependent upon us for our money, our time, or our labor. But the church is very precious in His sight. It is the case which contains His jewels, the fold which encloses His flock, and He longs to see it without spot or blemish or any such thing. He yearns after it with unspeakable love. This is why He has given us opportunities to work for Him, and He accepts our labors as tokens of our love and loyalty.” TESTIMONIES, volume 6, p. 261 EGW

The words in order supply a healthy reminder of priorities. If I am truly surrendered to my Savior—as in unconditional surrender—then I will take a stand (there’s that warfare word again) against those things in myself that must be put to death. Anything that places a wedge in my relationship with Him is a type of idolatry.

He sits as the Refiner (Malachi 3:3), able to purify and remove the dross. He patiently gazes into the hearts of His beloved people. To gaze back at Him at length, with spiritual eyes, into those eyes of compassion helps me to grasp something of His view. When I see in myself that which doesn’t belong in a child of God, I must ruthlessly put it to death! He will skim away the carcass (the dross) and never throw it back at my face. But there must be no debating, side-stepping, or bargaining. My Maker wants to recreate me, and I must let Him. If He has His way, a time will come when there is nothing remaining of the old life of sin. Love…thinks no evil. (1 Corinthians 13:5)

Therefore, put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5

…that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27