“To enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.” Luke 1:74-75 NIV
The Christian life is a blessed life, full of joy and gladness. But that is just a by-product. God saves us so that we might glorify Him through a life of holy service. People who think they’re saved but who live for themselves and their own happiness are deceived. True salvation always results in a life of growing in holiness and given over to serving the gracious God who has granted deliverance from the bondage of sin. Years ago, a Salvation Army officer, Captain Shaw, went to India as a medical missionary to a leper colony. His eyes welled with tears as he saw three lepers who were prisoners, their hands and feet bound by chains that cut into their diseased flesh. Shaw turned to the guard and said, “Please unfasten these chains.” “But it isn’t safe,” the guard replied. “These men are not just lepers; they’re dangerous criminals.” “I’ll be responsible; they’re suffering enough,” Shaw said, as he took the keys and tenderly removed the shackles and treated their bleeding ankles and wrists. About two weeks later, Captain Shaw had to make an overnight trip and feared leaving his wife and child alone. His wife insisted that she wasn’t afraid; God would protect her. The next morning when Mrs Shaw went to her door, she was startled to see the three criminals lying on her steps. One explained, “We know the doctor go. We stay here all night, so no harm come to you.” That was their response to the doctor’s act of love towards them – to serve him freely out of gratitude. That should be our response to God freeing us from bondage – to give our lives in holy service to Him as we journey into a new year.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord, as we journey into a new year, we give our lives in service to You.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, in response to Your act of salvation for us, we choose to serve You freely out of gratitude, giving our lives in holy service to You as we journey into a new year. Amen
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)
Hebrews 2:5-11
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