My Utmost 4/27/19

So once again, Oswald is asking if we can put aside our personal desires ABOUT OUR SERVICE TO GOD and listen to that still small voice. Accept His will and stop trying to tell Him how we prefer it to go. What our “gifting” is.

Next to understanding that Salvation is a free gift with no work required to receive it, understanding the giving up of our will in service to God is the next hardest hurdle.

Many feel works are required for salvation and put them at the root of faith. This is false. Works are not the root of the tree of faith but the fruit. They are not the foundation but an adornment on the temple of the Holy Ghost. And outward sign.

No good tree can grow rotten fruit.

Here’s the part that should make us tremble.

“Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience— doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:21-23‬ ‭MSG‬‬

In other words, these people had fruit, rotten fruit that may have been pretty on the outside. But their faith, their love and devotion to Christ was fake. No roots.

CHRIST ALONE! Only Jesus can wash away your sin with His Blood. Only true acceptance of that FREE AND PRECIOUS GIFT can save you. No work, no service in yourself can do it. Christ alone, not Christ + xxx.

Allow Him to direct and control the bearing of your fruit. Work with all your heart no matter if it is small menial things or preaching the Good News. Let God the Father direct your effort and let go of your own desires in obedience and love.