Today’s devotion comes from Romans 15:1-3.
“1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.
2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.
3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME.” Romans 15:1-3.
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Sacrifice and service for the good of others is the message of today’s Scripture. This “good” is most importantly their salvation. But, in so sacrificing and serving, it is also for our good.
“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.
God has blessed us with all the resources that we need to serve others.
“But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.” 2 Corinthians 8:7.
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;” 2 Corinthians 9:8.
Christ is our example.
Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
“… Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5:25-27.
Hebrews 9:28
“so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
“so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
Paul followed Christ’s example, and so should we.
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;” 2 Timothy 4:5-6.
Who is adequate to sacrifice and serve as they should?
But, there is hope!
God gives us grace to sacrifice and serve as we should. Paul exclaims: “To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,” Ephesians 3:8.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.
“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 