2022_06_03 Insight Post- Emma Keeton
This week’s reading- 1 Corinthians 9-10
This week in chapters 9 and 10 of Corinthians Paul continues his discourse on surrendering our rights and placing God before all else. In 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 Paul says:
“I have the right to do anything,” you say-but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right do anything”-but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.”
When we decide to use our freedom to benefit others and act out of love, we are choosing to lay down our old selves and live into the calling that God has for each of us. It may not feel ‘fair’ at the time, but when we live for something other than ourselves there is a reward from God that surpasses our rights. For Paul that reward was preaching the gospel.
It is nearly impossible to change our hearts by our will alone. Only God’s Holy Spirit can perform the surgery we need to take ‘me; my; mine’ out and insert the will of God in its place. ”No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:3 Inviting the Holy Spirit to help us surrender ourselves to God’s good will can be as simple as a prayer.
Step one of that prayer is to ask God to reveal your heart. Where do you hear yourself say the words “I need” said as a demand? Or excessively using the word “my?” These could be indicators that an area of our life needs the transforming power of Jesus.
Step two is to yield to God. This prayer can be done as a simple in the moment, one-line phrase. For example:
“You must become greater, I must become less” (from John 3:30)
“God, your will be done.” (From Matthew 6:10)
“You are the potter, I am the clay.” (from Isaiah 64:8)
“I exalt you God.”
Making the decision to allow God to have every part of us is an ongoing process. Thankfully, God is patient and his mercy is new for us each day. If you feel resistant to this process, ask God to help you want to surrender to him. In his goodness, he will hear and answer your prayer.
May we all learn to lay down ourselves for the sake of others and the gospel. In Jesus name.
Emma Keeton
Prayer Team Lead