I Corinthians 1:26-31
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
I think it is always important to keep a vision of who we were at the forefront of our perception of who we are. As I become more involved in Christian activities and church programs, it is easy to forget that these commitments are not where my identity is found. It is solely in Christ Jesus; any good within me is because of God’s grace in my life.
I was humbled in church today as I recalled the grace that has been bestowed upon my life through a message on the lovingkindness of our God. It was God’s grace that allowed my life to begin in a Christian home. It was God’s grace that protected me from worldly influences through my teenage years. It was God’s lovingkindness that carefully molded a husband for me who is far beyond what I deserve and more than I could have ever dreamed he would be.
Our Creator is a gentle God who longs to bless us and advance our life. The key is that we must realize that we are nothing without Him. He has taken us from the depths of our sin and depravity, given us the gift of salvation through His Son, and longs to give us wisdom and strength to bring Him glory so that in the end our boasting is only in Him. Praise Him who raises the decrepit orphan to a wealthy saint!
Thank you for today’s devotional. I read them almost everday and love them. Todays hit home (as many of them do) but I can relate EXACTLY to everthing you said in the third paragraph. God has been showing me this lately. Although I had many opportunities in High School to be influenced (and not to say I was always perfect ) but I never strayed far – to God’s glory, I KNOW it was his grace that kept me. And just like you said “It was God’s lovingkindness that carefully molded a husband for me who is far beyond what I deserve and more than I could have ever dreamed he would be.” – Yes! Thank you God! (we’ve been married over 5 years now, Been doing youth ministry for about 3 1/2 and now have a 20 month old son. My husband is also an amazing Father…and I believe you are expecting?? Congratulations!) For a long time I used to think that since I didn’t ever do “bad” things or have a “bad” life, that I didn’t have much of a testimony….but I know that that IS a testimony of God’s goodness, grace, and loving kindess in my life. It IS “Because of Christ”. I am nothing with out him.
If I could say it like Paul: “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I sholud be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and recieve the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us up to heaven.”
Philippians 3:12-14