Dear Ones:
When we consider what is required for the Lord’s service, we are apt to “lean to our understanding,” forgetting that His thoughts are NOT our thoughts, nor are our ways His ways. (Is. 55:8) Paul tells us that in his ministry to the Corinthians, “…And my speech, and my preaching was NOT with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” (1 Cor. 1:4) In the book of Zechariah, we read the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel with regard to the rebuilding of the temple: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Zech. 4:6) As we are confronted by these verses in different parts of the Bible, we come face to face with the FACT that indeed, God’s ways are not our ways. What then is that great essential which is the basis and key for all true service, and life? The answer resides in a simple question: “DO YOU LOVE ME?” (John 21:15-17) We might be at the beginning of our Christian life, or nearing the completion of it, but the question remains always a vital and living one.
In the book of the Revelation, John writes a letter from the Lord to the church at Ephesus. No church paralleled this church in its purity of doctrine, nor in its zeal to be pure. The church seems to be dominated by its ministry. It is to this situation that the Lord Jesus directs his attention by saying: “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy First Love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen…”(Rev. 2:4-5) What is so blatantly significant about this admonition is the importance of it. The Lord declares that if this issue is not addressed and righted, the very light in Ephesus by the Holy Spirit will go out. The church of Ephesus will no longer have that burning shekinah glory in the hearts, working to reveal the presence of God in and through the church. This shows us how important it is to concentrate on personal love and devotion to Christ, to his person.
Peter would become a “rock” of faith and power to the newly born church. But it would take Pentecost, and the coming of the Spirit to indwell the heart for this to be realized. It is as Peter learned to align himself with the mind and purpose (the ways) of God, that out of love for Christ, the Spirit moved. Paul learned that it was not in gifts or capacities, but in love for Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. “For the LOVE OF CHRIST constrains us…” (2 Cor. 5:14) Dear Lord, give us such love, a love that transcends all “ministry” or “service,” so that Thou mayest reveal Thyself, Thy life and light, in us and through us as we serve Thee by the Spirit…for Thy glory. Amen.
Love, Dad