THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 17:7-10
“We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” (Luke 17:10)
Do we see our religious duty as something extra for God?
Do we see doing good as something that we should get credit for?
In our sinful world, doing good is indeed something beyond normal.
But it shouldn’t be; we were made to live this life as normal.
If being and doing good is supposed to be normal, we see how far we fall short.
In my experience, I really have to work at being and doing good.
My natural inclination is not towards loving God and people.
My natural drift is to look after myself, to meet my needs, to satisfy my desires.
I get excited when I do something extra good, and imagine God smiling at me.
Which God probably is, though not because He’s impressed with my good deeds.
That little step of goodness reminds Him of where He wants to take me.
To where being and doing good is just my natural duty, my normal way.
Jesus came to restore us, not as servants but as friends, as family, as “very good!”
“I no longer call you servants… I have called you friends…” (John 15:15)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, my good deeds do not impress You, compared to what they ought to be. Thank You for restoring me as Your friend, as God’s child, and for helping me become what God made me to be!
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Just doing or doing our best.
Some of my students in past years were just doing. Just doing to get by or just doing to make the grade. However, God desires more. He desires us to do our best. All for Jesus. As He came to serve, so we too need to serve. He loves the generous giver. We need to give our best as His faithful servant. I need to give all for Him in my service to those around me. His love for me compels me to do that for Him in my living for Jesus. That’s how I must live for Him.
Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy [redemption],*
Didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master,
My heart shall be Thy throne,
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.