HEBREWS 13:20-21 – “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen”.

THEME OF THE DAY: NOT ABOUT US.   It is the easiest thing in life to do.  In fact, it comes naturally.  It isn’t pretty. Actually, it’s not attractive at all and never contributes to healthy relationships and a satisfying life.  “The Apostle Paul would identify this thing in his letter to the Philippians.  He penned these words – I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 2:19-21). What I am referring to as the easiest, most natural, and ugliest thing in the world are the people who make life all about them.  Their worlds orbit around “me, my, and mine” and it shows up in relationships, lifestyles, actions, and attitudes.  And it is sin.  Paul David Tripp said, “The DNA of sin is selfishness.”

We each know what it is like to be around selfish people.  They drain us emotionally, spiritually, and even physically, especially in tense family relationships.  And the only cure for this fatal and eternity-impacting sin is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus known, believed, embraced and lived.   The whole of the Christian life from start to finish is learning to put self to death and its ugly bent toward selfishness and live out God’s will and for the interests of others.

In today’s scripture is one of the Bible’s beautiful benedictions.  It is easy to be in awe of its majesty and miss the practical application. Here it is . . . “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will”.

God saves us, equips us, and empowers us to do His will, not ours. This becomes the daily battleground as illustrated by our Lord Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane – “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will”” (Matthew 26:39).  There will not be a day go by in our lives we don’t have to put “self on a shelf.”   Our natural bent toward selfishness must be put to death, and that only by applying the Gospel in our lives; a gospel that reminds us we don’t live for ourselves, but for Christ and others.  Here becomes a great place of self-examination where we should ask ourselves – “Is my life being lived more for Christ and others than myself?”  The answer will tell us if we are growing in the grace of selflessness or stagnant in the sin of selfishness.

Remember, life is not about us. The Gospel affirms that truth for those who claim to be followers of Jesus.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for equipping me to serve You and Your people.

REFLECTION:  God gives us gifts and talents for His use, not ours, nor for our boasting.