Today's Scripture
John 3:25-36
II Corinthians 5:1-10
Maintaining the Proper Relationship “the friend of the bridegroom…” John 3:29
Attitude, whether good or bad, is what we produce with the choice Good has given us charge of. The characteristics of goodness and innocence in our lives should never draw attention to themselves but should simply be attractive enough to stir up a desire for Jesus Christ in others. If my holiness is not drawing others to Him, it is not the right kind of holiness; it is only an influence that awakens undue emotions and evil desires in people and hinders them from heading in the right direction. A person who is a beautiful saint can be a hindrance in leading people to the Lord by presenting only what Christ has done for him, instead of presenting Jesus Christ Himself. Others will be left with this thought—”What a fine person he or she is!” That is not being a true “friend of the bridegroom”—
I am increasing all the time; Jesus is not. Not good!
To maintain the kind of friendship and faithfulness to the Bridegroom, we must be more intentional in our attitude development. The kind of attitude that supports our moral relationship with Jesus above everything else, including obedience. Sometimes there is nothing to obey and our only responsibility is to maintain our essential connection with Him, seeing that nothing interferes with it. As we mature in Christ, only occasionally is it a matter of obedience. His nature is naturally at work in us and through us because of a healthy developing covenant relationship. At those times when a crisis arises, our devotion to Him empowers us to find out what His will is. When we’re devoted to Him, most of our life is not spent trying to be consciously obedient, but rather, our passion is to maintain this developing relationship of being “friend of the bridegroom.” Most Christian work in our world is actually a means of diverting one’s focus away from Jesus Christ. Instead of being friends “of the bridegroom,” we ignorantly take God’s place as a source of comfort for others, working against Him while personally utilizing His weapons.
Today's Prayer
Lord, give us Your heart toward everyone You place in our path. Deliver us from any desire that doesn’t begin from Your heart and becomes the seed of Truth to our heart, soul, and mind. Help us to follow You into intercession and stand with You on behalf of others, to be those who worship and live in a holy relationship with You.