1.1.11

a friend of mine encouraged many to live for the One this year, and consider today, most unique of days (1.1.11), exactly what that looks like. in my quiet times i have been reading chambers', "my utmost for his highest". today's message is timely and encouraging for all who are seeking something to focus attention on in the new year. the reading starts with an interpretations of paul's letter to the philippians.

"my eager desire and hope being that i may never feel ashamed, but that now as ever i may do honour to Christ in my own person by fearless courage".

my english standard version states, "as it is my eager expectation and hope that i will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death" (phil. 1:20). but the importance of what paul's trying to say doesn't end there... he goes on to add one of his most read quotes, "for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain".

i remember participating in an inductive bible study of the book of philippians several years ago, and this theme of paul comparing life and death was woven through the whole of the book. the major theme, as i can remember, is that of a bond-servant rejoicing. the idea of a bond-servant was most fascinating to me. a bond-servant was someone who satisfied his earthly duties of service to his master, yet once given the opportunity for freedom declined. the bond-servant instead chose to voluntarily devote himself in service to his master, most likely because of love for his master and the quality of life he would maintain under the care of another person, even a master.

paul used this imagery of a bond-servant throughout his letter to the philippians to demonstrate the level of service to his Master to which he had committed his entire being, both in life as well as in death. and he does so REJOICING! read philippians, it's truly inspirational! as he wrote, he encouraged his fellow believers to also live the life of a bond-servant, fully devoted to one Master. today as believers in the One True God, we are encouraged to rejoice as we proclaim the truth of Christ, to rejoice as we serve Christ, to rejoice as we persevere in Christ, and finally as we rest in His truth.

but, like a bond-servant, we are given a choice. the ransom on our lives, due to the sin in us and in the world, was already paid because of Christ's perfect sacrifice and miraculous resurrection. the choice is now up to us. will we choose everyday to live like someone who's Master has paid the ultimate price and given all so that we might experience fullness of joy in a relationship with Him? Will we surrender our own wills, desires, hopes, etc?

both chambers and paul explained that this surrender of will is not something easily, or quickly achieved. it's an on-going decision. chambers encourages us not to focus on what this type of surrendered living may cost us, rather to remember that God does know the cost, better and more fully than we ever will. and so we say in surrender, my utmost for your highest Lord. paul says it a little differently. "for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain". wow. he knew the ultimate display of surrender may be for some to die. many people sacrifice their life daily for the sake of proclaiming and serving christ. their names are unknown to you and to me, but God knows them all. He rejoices alongside them in their lives and in their deaths, as He desires to do in each of our lives. This type of living (and dying) takes courage. It demands perseverance. It needs hope. It requires a complete surrender of one's life in service to a loving, all-knowing and truly good Master.

so friends... on this day of making change. i ask you to help me keep my faith. pray that i might not feel ashamed as i seek to live with fearless courage completely in honor of the One and only deserving Master.