All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
ARE YOU A VOLUNTARY VOLUNTEER (FURTHER COMMENT REGARDING GRACE)
INVOLUNTARY VOLUNTEER (FURTHER COMMENT REGARDING GRACE)
The Involuntary Volunteer said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23 (NIV)
It's a classic riff in the handbook of comedy. A leader stands before a group and says, "I need a volunteer. There's little chance of success and most likely you will die, but if you're willing to do it, take one step forward."
Everyone in the group looks around, then collectively they all take a step backward, except for one hapless bullwinkle who now appears as if he took a step forward. He's become an involuntarily volunteer.
By its very nature, service-is-sacrifice must be voluntary. Jesus says no one took his life from him, rather he gave it up freely: "I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father" (John 10:18 NIV).
Jesus, as a voluntary volunteer, shows us how to pour ourselves "out for each other in acts of love," doing "for others what they cannot do for themselves."
Likewise, the first Christian martyr, Stephen, offered up his life voluntarily. We may not be asked to die for our faith, but Jesus does expect us to die daily in sacrificial service for one another (Luke 9:23).
In some ways, our daily dying may be more difficult than a one-time physical death because it may mean staying silent when every bone in our body wants to do otherwise.
In matters of service-is-sacrifice, are you among those who take a step backward, leaving someone else to involuntarily volunteer? The Jesus model of service-is-sacrifice suggests you step forward, offering to take the place of the involunteer.
Understand this, your freedom in Christ allows you to make a choice. If you decide to stay in sacrificial service, you're no longer an involunteer because you're volunteering to remain.
May God supply us with the courage to serve with sacrifice.
<:))))>
Your Friend
Ramona P.
The Involuntary Volunteer said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23 (NIV)
It's a classic riff in the handbook of comedy. A leader stands before a group and says, "I need a volunteer. There's little chance of success and most likely you will die, but if you're willing to do it, take one step forward."
Everyone in the group looks around, then collectively they all take a step backward, except for one hapless bullwinkle who now appears as if he took a step forward. He's become an involuntarily volunteer.
By its very nature, service-is-sacrifice must be voluntary. Jesus says no one took his life from him, rather he gave it up freely: "I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father" (John 10:18 NIV).
Jesus, as a voluntary volunteer, shows us how to pour ourselves "out for each other in acts of love," doing "for others what they cannot do for themselves."
Likewise, the first Christian martyr, Stephen, offered up his life voluntarily. We may not be asked to die for our faith, but Jesus does expect us to die daily in sacrificial service for one another (Luke 9:23).
In some ways, our daily dying may be more difficult than a one-time physical death because it may mean staying silent when every bone in our body wants to do otherwise.
In matters of service-is-sacrifice, are you among those who take a step backward, leaving someone else to involuntarily volunteer? The Jesus model of service-is-sacrifice suggests you step forward, offering to take the place of the involunteer.
Understand this, your freedom in Christ allows you to make a choice. If you decide to stay in sacrificial service, you're no longer an involunteer because you're volunteering to remain.
May God supply us with the courage to serve with sacrifice.
<:))))>
Your Friend
Ramona P.
Views: 87
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Carla on
-
Oh Carol...Thank you for this amazing encouragement. The beginning of your story is me...
My Name is Carol, and I too had an unbeliever for a husband, and believe me he did not waste his time in telling me what a Fool I was for going to Church for service, and Bible study, and Our evening prayers on Monday. So Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday It was torture to get ready to go. I prayed so hard for my husband everyday and night.But One Sunday I asked him if he wanted to come with me to service and then we could go out for breakfast. He said No thank You. I almost fainted, because normally he would argue with me. But when he said no I said OK some other day. He would say maybe.
I went to service, and came home excited. I had the cd of Pastor's teaching, and so I put it on, and played it. He said I am not going to listen to that crap. It is interfering with my sports. or whatever he was watching. I finally stopped argueing with him, and just ask do you want to come with me? he would say no. I treated him like he was my hero. Did not make waves, THIS COULD BE ME!
I am simply trusting God! Thank you Thank you Thank you!
God Bless, Carla
-
-
Thank you Carol....you are a bright light in my day....as are all my brothers and sisters....and thanks for the chuckle...your mom sounds like someone I would have loved to know!
Blessings, Carla
-
Permalink Reply by Ramona P. Jacobsz on
-
I think that Carol deserves a standing ovation for her plain and simple reply... GOD IS IN CONTROL. Thank you Carol for a level-headed, Christlike answer.
You will see from a comment which I placed about IS THERE HOPE FOR AN ATHEIST?
Point made... point taken. Thank you dearest Carol.
<:))))>
Your Friend
Ramona P.
-
Permalink Reply by littlesheep88 on
-
Amen!
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- Next ›
Welcome to
All About GOD
The Good News
Meet Face-to-Face & Collaborate
© 2024 Created by AllAboutGOD.com.
Powered by
