Tuesday, May 03, 2005

Live Up

"Only let us live up to what we have already attained" (Philippians 3:16).

There are so many things about God, His character and His ways, that I just don't comprehend. It's frustrating, even discouraging at times. "His ways are not my ways, His thoughts are not my thoughts" is true enough, but feels like a pat answer.

A deeper answer comes: Obedience produces a fuller revelation of God. We can't expect more knowledge and understanding unless we're being good stewards of what we already have. So the question is, am I living up to the knowledge and understanding I have attained? Am I putting into practice the truths I already comprehend?

Another angle: We can't earn our position or standing in Christ. We don't have to--His blood bought it for us. So what are we required to do then? We're called to "become what we are," as John Piper puts it. God calls us righteous and pure, so we’re supposed to live like it. We can’t earn our righteousness; Isaiah points out that all our attempts to do so are “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). But we strive to live righteously because that’s the identity Christ has given us. We seek to live up to the name we have attained because of His sacrifice, His redemption of us.

Lord, let me live up to the name and position YOU have attained for me...and let me live up to the knowledge and understanding that I have attained ONLY through Your grace.

1 comment:

Natalie said...

Amy,

I love this devotional thought! LOVE IT! How would you feel about my using it as a KBM devo? Are you open to that?

On another note, I'm excited that you're reading Captivating too. I honestly think that every woman on the planet should read it. What's been the most profound part of it for you?

Hang in there with all the Project Respect stuff...you'll get through it, and get through well!

I'm praying for you!
Natalie