1 John 3:16 ‘ Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren
DAILY READING Acts 28:17-31; 1 Samuel 6-7; Psalm 53
The worst peacetime maritime disaster in Canada’s history occurred on 29 May 1914. This was when the ship ‘Empress of Ireland’ sank in the St. Lawrence River near Québec, killing 1,012 of its 1,477 passengers. Although the tragedy impacted the whole country, the Canadian Salvation Army perhaps bore the brunt of this blow, as it lost almost 167 of its members, including senior leaders who were on their way to London, for an International Congress. To the Salvation Army, the day the ‘Empress of Ireland’ sank has become known as “Black Friday.” Only eight of its members on board the ship survived. However, remarkably, many more could have survived, if not that they chose rather to willingly lay down their lives.
On the night the ship sank, many of its passengers had gone to bed and were asleep. Another oncoming ship, blinded by a fog, had accidentally rammed into ‘The Empress,’ creating a deep hole that caused water to begin to flood the ship. The crew members of ‘The Empress’ had immediately sounded the alarm, to alert the sleeping passengers. In the confusion, as many tried to rush out of the sinking ship, only few were able to put on their life jackets. Members of the salvation army were among the few who were able to quickly access the life jackets and put them on. However when it became obvious that many of the other passengers were about to perish in the waters, these salvation army members, began to swim through the cold waters, seeking out people who didn’t have a life jacket and were struggling to survive. Each time they found someone, they asked: ‘Do you know Jesus?’ If the person replied ‘No’, then in an act of unbelievable courage and sacrifice, the Salvation Army member took off his or her own life jacket, and gave it to save the other person.
As a result many of these Salvation Army members drowned. But they chose to die so that others could live and have the chance to find Christ. Their sacrifice has continued to astound the world as each year the sinking of the empress is remembered. In 2014 its 100 year anniversary was marked with many coming from all over the world to Canada, to commemorate the event.
1 John 3:16-18 says ‘ Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.’
Death is the pathway to glory. All men who made generational impact were those who learned to die to self and lived for others. People who live sacrificially go beyond the norm, they are willing to lay down anything for the sake of God and His kingdom.
When we truly love God we will be concerned about the welfare of others. We will not live life as convenient but rather as commanded. And Jesus has commanded us to put the welfare of others before ours. Loving God means to be truly sold-out to His cause so much so that nothing in life matters to us except those things that matter to God. It is to be devoted to God and His work and be ready to live and die for God’s purpose on earth without due consideration to self. This means joyfully allowing God to exercise full ownership and control over our lives, time, resources, career and decisions. When a man is so dedicated to God he will stand out on the earth. Indeed true dedication is a deadly commitment to God and dedication is the mystery behind distinction.
However often times, though the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. Though we are willing to fully follow God’s will, we often find ourselves hindered by fleshly struggles.
But at the cross, Jesus lay down His life that we might live. And because of the blood He shed for us at Calvary we have been given infusion of life and power to overcome every spiritual weakness and hindrance of the flesh. By His sacrifice we have been given authority to live in victory and dominion. Therefore today, by the power in the blood we take authority over everything that tries to hinder our obedience to the great commission. By the blood we come against every spiritual laxity that tries to keep us from stepping into the fullness of our calling and going forth to do exploits for God’s kingdom. Indeed by the Blood we receive the grace for divine strength and enablement to lay down our lives for others as we step out and begin to win souls for Christ. As we begin to truly make God’s kingdom priority, and become addicted to His purpose, God will indeed cause us to be distinguished on the earth!
PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for the grace to live in power and victory because of the sacrifice that Jesus made for me at Calvary. Through the Blood of Jesus I receive the strength today to go forth and do exploits for Your kingdom in Jesus Name.
Quote.
To get into the next level of your life, God will always give a specific instruction. – WORDBITE 222.