Less of Myself

“I pray that I will live a life for Jesus that others will see Jesus in me and less of myself.” ~ Foy Hocutt Lee

My Mom wrote the above statement in her devotion book a few years before she went to heaven. She did live a life pleasing to God and she wanted her children to do the same. As she lived her life, she was a wonderful example of walking close with God. The devotion she was reading at the time she wrote that statement was called “Walking Worthy” (Blackaby and Blackaby, 1997, p. 207).

The following are quotes from the study as well as scriptures relating to the subject matter. I will make my own commentary at the end.

Walking Worthy

Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

“Paul never lost his wonder at having been called by God. He understood that the way he lived ought to be worthy of the King who had chosen him. He knew that the mystery of the gospel had been hidden for generations and had only been revealed in his day through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Col. 1:26-27). Paul also understood that until people accept the gospel, they are spiritually dead and therefore without hope (Col 2:13). As a result of God’s plan of salvation, those who trust in Jesus are not only made alive in Christ but are also adopted as the Father’s children (Rom. 8:16-17). Paul recognized that though the Gospel sounds like foolishness to the world, it is the power of God that brings eternal life to those who accept it” (Blackaby and Blackaby, 1997, p. 207).

“Because Paul’s life had been radically transformed by the gospel, he was intent on living to honor the gospel that gave him life. It would have been tragic to receive the riches of the gospel and then to live as a spiritual pauper. It would have been disgraceful to be saved from death by the blood of Christ and then show no reverence for that sacrifice. It would have been foolish to accept such love from Christ and then to resent what He asked in return” (Blackaby and Blackaby, 1997, p. 207).

“The way you live your life ought to be a tribute to the matchless grace that your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has bestowed upon you” (Blackaby and Blackaby, 1997, p. 207).

“Walking Worthy” is a tall order for men and women of the faith. Living a life pleasing to God is very hard if one does not transform their life into a life of holiness. No one can do this on his or her own. That is why it is important to constantly have a prayer time with God and to study the Bible and reach out to God through the scriptures, which are God inspired.

Walking worthy means that we should be living our lives in a way that is pleasing to the Father. We should do this both in our public lives as well as our private lives. You know what I am talking about. When you are alone and no one is around to see what you are thinking about? What your eyes see or what you do? God sees everything. He knows everything. You might be able to fool your friends but you are not fooling God! We should be living our lives in a manner that others see Jesus in us. But we also need to live our private lives in a manner that God sees Jesus in us. There are consequences of sin. A believer who has accepted Christ should strive to stop sinning and turn from his or her wicked ways. “Less of myself” means more of Christ and our focus should be on God and not ourselves. The way we live our lives should be a tribute to the matchless grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ has bestowed on us!

Today, Father, I pray that others will see more of Christ in me and “less of myself.” I pray that if someone reading this is not right with you, that they will repent of their sin and ask forgiveness and be transformed into the men and women you have called us to be. I pray Father, that you will constantly help me to be more like Christ in all that I do. I pray for our nation will turn back to you! I pray that our nation will have a revival and that our brothers and sisters in Christ will walk tall and walk worthy of you! In Jesus name! Amen!

Scripture References:

Colossians 1:26-27 “²⁶ the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” New International Version (NIV)

Colossians 2:13 “¹³ When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.” (NIV)

Romans 8:16-17 “¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (NIV)

References

Blackaby, Henry T, and Richard Blackaby. EXPERIENCING GOD DAY-BY-DAY: The Devotional and Journal. Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 1997.

Joseph T. Lee, The Lantern & Shield Times LLC, © November 5, 2017