Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Am I now?

"Beware if in sharing your personal testimony you continually have to look back, saying, 'Once, a number of years ago, I was saved.' If you have put your 'hand to the plow' and are walking in the light, there is no 'looking back'--the past is instilled into the present wonder of fellowship and oneness with God (Luke 9:62; also see I John 1:6-7). If you get out of the light, you become a sentimental Christian, and live only on your memories, and your testimony will have a hard metallic ring to it. Beware of trying to cover up your present refusal to 'walk in the light' by recalling your past experiences when you did 'walk in the light' (I John 1:7)."
--Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

This is something that hit me square between the eyes the other day. It does not matter what good I have done in the past. What matters to God, and what should matter to me, is where I am in my relationship with Him NOW. A Christian's life isn't gauged by where he's been, and he cannot measure it by where He's going (for that would be an invisible ruler to his eyes). Instead, it is a day by day endeavor. I should not brag about the good I have done, as if I have filled my quota for life. I must be good (a.k.a. be with God) today.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." (II Cor. 4: 16)
Day by day.
Every day anew.

1 comment:

Jama said...

Yes, when we are too busy to communicate with One so dear to us, we are relying on what has been instead of what is. He doesn't love us less for it, but He misses us, I'm sure. We should keep our relationship current.