I Want Mine "WELL DONE"
Text: 1 Corithians 6:20
You know, and so do I! It doesnt take us too long to figure it out. All you have to do is to be around the person for a little while. Sooner of later it will show. Is their ministry for Gods glory or their glory? Is they way they conduct themselves and their ministry done in such a way that Jesus receives the glory or done in a way so they receive the praise of people? One way brings joy to our hearts, and the other way turns us off. One way has the blessing of God upon it, and the other way is empty, meaningless, cotton-candy fluff. In our hearts, we want to do everything for Gods glory, but it sure is easy to get caught up playing the game of trying to impress our ministerial peers. Choose the high road, and stay off the other one. The one praise we do want to hear is, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Thats the goal to keep in mind every day and in every area of our ministry.
Look at the text again: 1 Corinthians 6:20 "You have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body."
If I were asked to determine the spiritual vitality of any religious group using only one criterion, I would evaluate it’s representative leaders. Are they a group of individuals vying for power, arming themselves with arguments to defend their position and exert their will? Or are they servant leaders knit together by the Holy Spirit who are collectively trying to discern God’s will?
Similarly, if I wanted to determine the spiritual vitality of an individual using only one criterion, I would evaluate whether the person desires to live according to the will of God, or if he desires to do his own thing. The prayer of a vital, growing Christian is;
"Make me know Thy ways, O LORD; teach me Thy paths" (Psalm 25:4).
Once our will is bent in the right direction, Jesus raises the additional question of motive: "He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him" (John 7:18). The person who is true glorifies the one who sent him.
This is perfectly modeled in the Godhead. Notice first the example of Jesus:
"For I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me" (John 8:42).
The Holy Spirit acts in the same way. In John 16:13, 14, Jesus said, "He [the Spirit] will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak. . . . He shall glorify Me."
Let’s take this one step further. Are you ready for this? Jesus said in John 20:21: "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." Granted, that was said to the apostles, but we are all under the Great Commission. Do you want to be true? Then glorify the One Who sent you! People who know they are God-sent and are committed to live like that, glorify God. Self-sent people seek their own glory.
When it comes to hearing God’s comments concerning me, I want mine, WELL DONE...and that’s rare!
Prayer:
Today, Lord, I purpose to reflect my appointment as Your sent-one by glorifying You instead of myself.
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