DEVOTION ~LESS OF SELF

Theme: Less of Self 

Text: Romans 12:9-13

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

The Christian journey is well defined by love. The love Christ has shown to us all (John 13:34-35). This kind of love is shown by denying self when you think less of yourself (not to mean to devalue yourself) by not being cynical. Love must be without hypocrisy. Don't love because you are loved back or you want to get something from the one you're loving. When strings are attached to love, it gives way for evil to manipulate in the relationship. Usually you are likely to think of retaliating to an evil done to you. But if the love of Christ rules in you, then you'll rather forgive and abhor evil. Always hold on to what is good and let it have its perfect way in you.

In all your relationships because you have devoted to less of self, you'll be able to show affection to all unconditionally. You don't discriminate, undermine others, bully them or do all sorts of evil against them. What you do is to honour them and help them to discover their strengths and building them up. How well are you keeping your relationships? Is it all to yourself and not taking into consideration the needs of the other person? You need to let go such attitudes and pick up the garment of love and less of self. 

Though you're living a life of less of self, you must be diligent. I love it that the Apostle Paul says, don't lag in diligence. To be diligent means to be careful and wise with decisions. There's the need to be guided by the Holy Spirit in living a selfless life. It's the Holy Spirit that can help you to serve the Lord faithfully, give you joy in your hope to rejoice, grant you the patience in tribulations, give you utterances in prayer, and direct you to believers that are in need so you can be a blessing to them. You can't move effectively without the Holy Spirit, so always avail yourself for Him to have His own way in your life and your life will never be the same again.

Prayer: Dear God, I'm grateful for Your word today. I pray to be genuine in every aspect of my life and to live a less self life. Make me a blessing to many and let Your love abound in my life. This I ask in Jesus' name. AMEN!