For thought and meditation Mon Dec 11

[Markopolo]

December 11
Individuality
By Oswald Chambers

Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself…" —Matthew 16:24

Individuality is the hard outer layer surrounding the inner spiritual life. Individuality shoves others aside, separating and isolating people. We see it as the primary characteristic of a child, and rightly so. When we confuse individuality with the spiritual life, we remain isolated. This shell of individuality is God’s created natural covering designed to protect the spiritual life. But our individuality must be yielded to God so that our spiritual life may be brought forth into fellowship with Him. Individuality counterfeits spirituality, just as lust counterfeits love. God designed human nature for Himself, but individuality corrupts that human nature for its own purposes.

The characteristics of individuality are independence and self-will. We hinder our spiritual growth more than any other way by continually asserting our individuality. If you say, “I can’t believe,” it is because your individuality is blocking the way; individuality can never believe. But our spirit cannot help believing. Watch yourself closely when the Spirit of God is at work in you. He pushes you to the limits of your individuality where a choice must be made. The choice is either to say, “I will not surrender,” or to surrender, breaking the hard shell of individuality, which allows the spiritual life to emerge. The Holy Spirit narrows it down every time to one thing (see Matthew 5:23-24). It is your individuality that refuses to “be reconciled to your brother” (Matthew 5:24). God wants to bring you into union with Himself, but unless you are willing to give up your right to yourself, He cannot. “…let him deny himself…”— deny his independent right to himself. Then the real life-the spiritual life-is allowed the opportunity to grow.

Have a blessed day 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[John Wayne]

And the better an individual does financially the less they seem to need God, unfortunately.
Thanks Markopolo!

[USMC87]

Amen, a great messgae.

[Pine Baron]

"Individuality counterfeits spirituality, just as lust counterfeits love." Now that's a profound statement and an abject warning. Great message.

[GhostHawk]

Good to see you Pine Baron!

Great Message!

We who follow him serve. We have to lose our will and accept his. Until we do this, we are not really following the Lord.
It can be hard, for 40 years I wanted no shepherd, I followed my own will. And went nowhere.