A Divine Devotion
“Christ’s love has moved me to
such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do.” 2 Corinthians 5:14
(Message)
Our ongoing
commitment to world missions was, in my mind, kindled afresh, as I read an
account of the incredible devotion of some who give themselves without
hesitation or reserve. How often we find ourselves either losing focus of
what is most important in reaching our world or easily drifting from our
mission because of the adversity and obstructions that come our way. We each play a role in God’s Great Commission
and our investment in helping others know Him will bring eternal change. Know that you truly make a difference and we
can thank the Lord for each one who serves faithfully, sensitively, and unselfishly
with care. This article was taken from
the memoirs of R.M. McCheyne, Edinburgh,
March 6, 1839:
“The most striking
example of self-devotedness in the cause of Christ of which I ever heard, was
told here last week by an English minister. It has never been printed, and, therefore, I
will relate it to you. Just as I heard
it, to stir up our cold hearts, that we may give our own selves unto the Lord.
“The awful disease of
leprosy still exists in Africa. Whether it be the same leprosy as that mentioned
in the Bible, I do not know, but it is regarded as totally incurable, and so infectious that no
one dares to come near the leper. In the
south of Africa there is a large lazarhouse for lepers. It is an immense space, enclosed by a very high
wall, and containing fields which the lepers cultivate. There is only one entrance, which is strictly
guarded. Whenever anyone is found with
the marks of leprosy upon him, he is brought to this gate and obliged to enter
in, never to return. No one who enters
in by that awful gate is ever allowed to come out again. With this abode of misery there are
multitudes of lepers in all stages of the disease.
“Dr. Hallbeck, a
missionary of the Church of England, from the top of a neighboring hill, saw
them at work. He noticed two in particular,
sowing peas in the field. The one had no
hands, the other had no feet- these members being wasted away by disease. The one who wanted the hands was carrying the
other, who wanted the feet, upon his back; and he again carried in his hands
the bag of see, and dropped a pea every now and then, which the other pressed
into the ground with his foot; and so they managed the work of one man between
the two. Ah! How little we know of the
misery that is in the world! Such is
this prison-house of disease.
“But you will ask, ‘Who cares for the souls of the hapless inmates? Who will venture to enter in at this dreadful
gate, never to return again? Who will
forsake father and mother, houses and land, to carry the message of a Savior to
these poor lepers?’ Two Moravian
missionaries, impelled by a divine love for souls, have chosen the lazarhouse
as their field of labor. They entered it
never to come out again, and I am told that as soon as these die, other
Moravians are quite ready to fill their place.
Ah! Dear friend, may we not blush, and be ashamed before God that we,
redeemed with the same blood, and taught by the same Spirit, should yet be so
unlike these men in vehement, heart-consuming love to Jesus and the souls of
men?”
Paul understood sacrifice.
It would cost Him everything: his
possessions, his energy, his acceptance in many circles and finally his
life. But it was worth every bit to see
others come to know Him. He would write
in 2 Corinthians 5:14,
“Christ’s love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the
first and last word in everything we do.” (Message) When we are changed by His love, we want to change others
with His love. Bottom line, His divine
devotion to us is what brings a divine devotion to others. You will never find a better investment of
your life than what Christ has called us to do.
Terry Risser
Reflections:
1)
How would you rank your current devotion (on a scale from 1-10)
regarding reaching others for Christ?
2)
Ask the Lord to give you a renewed sense of His love for you.
Copyright
2014- Terry Risser
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