Obedience can be a tough lesson to learn. Especially since our society upholds willfulness as a sign of strength. Willfulness can lead people to ruin, but there is Someone who is willing to forgive and forget. And He extends the offer of a better way to those who submit their will to His.
I SURRENDER MY WILLFULNESS
By Gary*
“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:27-28, NIV)
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When I was first called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, I realized that God commands us to love all people, not just those we approve. I never knew until I began to read the Bible that God had provided a plan of salvation for everyone through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Now, since I am reading and studying the Word more, I find myself loving my brothers and sisters more. There is no distinction between us–no black or white, rich or poor, free or prisoner–we are all sinners, coming to be cleansed by a Holy God, our Father. We are one family of His children, united by His love.
PRAYER: Thank you, O Lord, for the understanding of Your Word. Thank You for making us all one through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
*Name has been changed.
ALIVE AND WELL
“Most Christians who decide to visit prisoners do so out of a sense of duty, the belief that they should take Christ into prisons,” writes Chuck Colson in the conclusion to “I Surrender.” “When we visit, however, we invariably discover He is already there. We go into the prisons to bring a blessing to those locked inside; but more often, we come away richly blessed ourselves, having received more than we have given.”
In the same way, we hope that this devotional has encouraged you this month as we approach Easter Sunday. In America's prisons, Jesus is alive and well.
“I Surrender” is available to read in our resource section.
