The Devotional - 007 - Of Love

A Thought for the Day – 007 – Of Love

Philippians 2:1-4 – Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being likeminded, having the same love being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out – not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

 

Comments and challenges

Oswald Chambers 1874 – 1917 was only 43 when the LORD took him home so we never know the day or the hour when we are called to depart from this land of the flesh to our eternal destination. Here is a quote from this man that is interesting. Also you may as well know ahead of time that the books written claiming him as author were written by his wife Gertrude who is called by the nickname “Biddy” and some of the material in his books were also written by his daughter, Kathleen.

The quote: “I feel I shall be buried for a time, hidden away in obscurity; then suddenly I shall flame out, do my work, and be gone.” And when you review the life of this man you will come to understand why a friend of his introduced Mr. Chambers as the “Haphazard Apostle” and used John 3:8 as the type of man Oswald was. His service to God was fervent, moving from one ministry to another. In his final years he felt obligated to join the Army as a chaplain and sailed with the troops to Zeitoun, Egypt, where he ministered until his untimely death in November 1917. He had appendicitis and did not know it; peritonitis set in and his life could not be saved.

The most well-known book of this man is titled: My utmost for His Highest Mr. Warren Wiersbe of whom I am getting this information from says that it is a hard read. Mr. Wiersbe told a friend that he was getting nothing out of the book and she said; “it is something you have to grow into.” Mr. Wiersbe’s quote: “She was right: the problem was not the complexity of the book but the spiritual immaturity of the reader.”

The Rub: In our lives as believers in Jesus Christ we like very much to read about men and woman who seem to be pillars of spiritual strength. Their lives encourage us and some of the personal tidbits seem to fit into the things revolving around our own personal life. Mr. Chambers gave himself totally to the LORD and this included his sense of humor. En route to Egypt he wrote in his daily journal. “LORD, keep me radiantly and joyously Thine.” He was well known as one who brought humor into all of his messages. Hmmn! let me think; do I know anyone like that?

One of the soldiers said, “Your jokes and lightheartedness plough the mind like the planting season on the farm, then when plowed you plant the Seed.” Chambers emphasized “holy living” so I am thinking as I record what is already known about the man, what has all of this to do with Philippians 2:1-4. “Very much, very much indeed.” To set oneself aside for others, to esteem others over self is the utmost sacrifice one can offer to our God. Sadly, it is the sacrifice that few of us practice.

Consolation, comfort, fellowship, affection and mercy; and we say, but Oh; I do this all the time so just what are you driving at? Let me add the words that make the difference. Consolation in CHRIST, Comfort of LOVE, Fellowship in the SPIRIT, Affection and Mercy, fulfill my joy by being LIKE MINDED. Let me add too that I would say that when serious trials and tribulations hammer one of our like-minded saints we respond with all of the spirit filled attributes of esteeming others better than ourselves and yes we ought to do just that.

But what about our daily walk with our Living God who always puts you and me at the head of line when it comes to consolation, comfort, fellowship and spiritual like-mindedness? Does this mean that we have the privilege to reap this blessing of God daily and share it only to select few of “really hurting saints”? While we allow our self to set others aside or even gossiped over them in a causal spiritual way?

It does seem to me that we are a bit like “part timers” when it comes to placing others above our own agenda, we say and do not follow through with what we say, since selfish ambition and conceit find the front stage of life in our minds. Our mind is not lowly but haughty and I say “bah humbug” God is not pleased with what my mind expresses, He is only pleased with what we do in the Like-mindedness abiding in Christ and the expression of the Spirit that lives in us, this then is the sacrifice of esteeming others better than our self while we look out as well for our interests too.

It is the mind of Christ, don’t you know? Yes you do and knowing this we should also practice this too!