Our Lord’s conception of discipleship is not that we work for God, but that God works through us.
– Oswald Chambers
What was the thing you worked hard for but did not accomplish or achieve the result? What were your feelings about the process? In our lives, there are a lot of things we want to do, may it be easy or hard. We often accomplish them but at times, as the song goes, our best is not good enough. In today’s verse, we will look into the calling of the first disciples. And compare the toils they have done before and after they have met Jesus.
Bible Reading
Today’s devotional reading is from the Gospel according to Luke 5:5. Please, read our recent devotional from the Book of Acts 13:32,38: Forgiveness Of Sins Through Christ
Toiling by ourselves
It was not coincident that Simon and his brother were at the area where Jesus was preaching. Moreover, it is not luck that Jesus has chosen Simon Peter’s boat to preach to the crowd. God has appointed them even before they were born (Jeremiah 1:5). Jesus has called the apostles to toil for Him and not for themselves.
Then the days of their lives were filled with works bringing people to God. Moreover, calling everyone for repentance and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ toiled for our sake
How do you get to heaven? If you have not heard the Gospel of Christ, you might say by doing good. But is that enough? sad to say it is not. We cannot rely on our good works to be heaven. Only by the precious blood of Christ that we have a chance to have eternal life. How, do you ask? By believing in Him and living your life in obedience to His teachings.
And even by these, it is not within your capabilities. The Holy Spirit will stir your conscience and give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26) to have that genuine faith in Jesus Christ. Furthermore, living your life following Christ is going to be hard if you trust in yourself. You have to deny yourself (Matthew16:24) and let the Holy Spirit lead you in His ways.
Reflection
This is the time for your journaling. Reflect on these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit to test your faith and your walk with Christ.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? — 2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV.
- How do we become good persons? Take the quiz!
- Have you wondered the effectivity of of your own toiling?
- Where does your good works leads you?
- Do you know the work Jesus has done for you? Accept Jesus Now.
Prayer
Father, sometimes I can’t understand how you can bring beauty from the ashes of my life. I struggle to trust you with the broken pieces. You say in your Word that without faith it is impossible to please you, and I want to please you. I want to trust you. I want you to make me more like Jesus and use my trials for my good and your glory. Help me believe the promise that for those who love God all things work together for good (Romans 8:28). In the strong name of Jesus, I ask, Amen.
(from Crosswalk.com)
