In Oswald Chambers’ book, My Utmost for His Highest, he says, “The greatest competitor of devotion to Jesus is service for Him.” From what at first seems self-contradictory, we begin to get the picture that Christians quickly become modern day Pharisees. The exception, it is no longer from the written law that we seek our salvation and pride, but in the moral satisfaction drawn from completing our Christian ‘duty.’ A pastor giving a sermon, the church goer tithing an extra amount, and even an evangelist delivering the good news become worshipers of works rather than God.
Joining the Dogwood Literacy Council today, I realized the ease with which I began to envision myself benefiting the community, basking in the adoration of the Holy Spirit. Understand though, in reality my gateway professor forced me into community service by placing twenty percent of my grade on it. Yet still, thoughts of great deeds flowed through my mind.
Every day I must realize that I am not even sufficient for my own well being, much less the well being of anyone else. Like most sins, this one roots itself in pride. Smoothly and subversively, pride turns our attention not on God and our reward from Him, but on glorification of ourselves. Currently, I am still dying to this sin.
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