Psalm 127:1 and 1 Cor. 3:11-23
I’m really good at good ideas to do good things. They spring up from the depths within, take form and within seconds they stand like monuments to my self. I can see God smiling down like an illuminating ray of sunshine on my finished work, pointing the way to others. If only more people were like me, I think. I should write a book to help them become more like me. God needs more people like me! What a good idea!
You see how it goes. And goes. And goes.
Driven by the “knowledge of good,” the process sources its energy from that very satisfying and powerful thing called, “self.”
My ministries may rise, my good works may be helpful, I may even influence people but inside I know a draining of life–a disconnectedness to Christ. This phenomenon is so easy to ignore that I can go on, day after day, month after month, year after year without taking inventory.
Self-driven righteousness is that deceptive and addictive.
But I’m a Christian. The work is finished. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Gal. 2:20
I wonder where I went wrong. I was only trying to help people, love people.
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved–even though only as one escaping through the flames. Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future–all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” 1 Cor. 3:11-23
Living sacrifices live by the power of His Holy Spirit. They are dis-abled by the cross they carry as they follow Christ. Vessels, empty but of Life Himself they are like branches channeling His life and live like sheep who follow the Shepherd’s voice. Truly, their life is HID with Christ in God and the yoke they share with Him is easy and its burden is light. In ceasing from their own works, true rest is found. Like Mary, they have chosen, “that good part.”
This way of life is narrow and restricting but true Life is found there and He gives that true Life abundantly.
“Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.” Hebrews 4:11
Rejoice!
Binsey
