Quote from The Calvary Road, Chapter 9, Page 115, first paragraph:
“As we look on the Lamb bowing His head for us on Calvary, we know that it is only by being willing to have the same disposition that ruled Him and by bending our necks in brokenness as He bowed His.”
This brought me right back to Chapter 8 where the question was asked:
And/or,
CHALLENGE!!!!!
If we are not to be above our Master of Lord (Matt 10:24, John 15:20, John 13:16), and yet, "It is enough for the servant [it is good and right, and the will of God for the servant] to be LIKE Him", I.e., the servant ought to strive to emulate his Master (Matt 10:25), then does it stand to reason that the end of the matter and the better questions is, "Am I really believing that it is better to have Christ than anything in this world?"
Is your answer yes? Great, but remember how James would teach, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18)
So I thought of some challenging questions that I asked God to show me the answers to:
Ultimately, is there fruit being produced out of my most foundational belief or faith?
Another challenge is to try to convey to me why I shouldn't be so hard on myself given what this precious Lamb of God has given up and done for me?
“As we look on the Lamb bowing His head for us on Calvary, we know that it is only by being willing to have the same disposition that ruled Him and by bending our necks in brokenness as He bowed His.”
This brought me right back to Chapter 8 where the question was asked:
- "Are you willing to be a bond servant?"
And/or,
- "Do you really, WANT to be a bond servant?"
CHALLENGE!!!!!
If we are not to be above our Master of Lord (Matt 10:24, John 15:20, John 13:16), and yet, "It is enough for the servant [it is good and right, and the will of God for the servant] to be LIKE Him", I.e., the servant ought to strive to emulate his Master (Matt 10:25), then does it stand to reason that the end of the matter and the better questions is, "Am I really believing that it is better to have Christ than anything in this world?"
- Do I believe that to live is Christ and to die is gain?
- Do you have faith in Christ, the Lamb, having shed His blood for you?
Is your answer yes? Great, but remember how James would teach, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18)
So I thought of some challenging questions that I asked God to show me the answers to:
- Would I dare say this is the best, safest, most edifying place to be; yet on the other hand, do I set my sights on the natural and carnal things of the world?
- Or do I allow my flesh to dictate what I'll do on any given Sunday or Wednesday evening?
- Do I make all kinds of concessions to make sure I’ve scheduled in those R&R types of things in my life?
- Have I learned the lingo, that “I need to have balance”, or “I shouldn’t be too heavenly minded”?
- Have I bought into the lie that “since I can’t change the way things are in the world, I might as well not try?”
- Have I purposed in my heart X-Y-Z, or have my circumstances purposed in my heart (have I given up on what I know is right because it’s too hard)?
- Have I purposed in my heart X-Y-Z, or has someone else’s behavior or attitude purposed in my heart (made me do things I wouldn’t normally do)?
- Have I purposed in my heart X-Y-Z, or is this body of flesh (my body) purposing in my heart (am I too tired to come to church)?
- Exactly who is in charge of your life?
- Who is running my daily life, from day to day? FROM MOMENT TO MOMENT?
Ultimately, is there fruit being produced out of my most foundational belief or faith?
Another challenge is to try to convey to me why I shouldn't be so hard on myself given what this precious Lamb of God has given up and done for me?