Low Expectations

Do you do the least you can do? Do you always do EVERYTHING you could do?

What about your desire to live for Christ? As a Christ follower, what is the least we can do? Should we even consider it? If someone is doing the least they can do, maybe they are not a Christ follower at all!

Consider the Scriptures:

(Philippians 1:21) "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

(Galatians 2:20) "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

(Philippians 3:8) "Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ"

(2Corinthians 10:5) "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,"

(1Corinthians 9:24) "¶ Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it."

(Colossians 3:17) "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

We are far too easy on ourselves. Our lives center in our comforts and convenience. We want morality, but not holiness. We want service, but not sacrifice. We practice moderation in our devotion.

William Carey said, "Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God." This needs to begin in our personal expectation that we will be genuinely transformed into the very image of Christ when we turn to Him to be saved, not just from the penalty of sin, but also from sin's power in our lives.

(Romans 12:1-2) "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Too often we stop short of sacrifice and only provide a contribution. We have low expectations and we live down to them. But God expects something more... wholehearted devotion. Love without limit - Heart, Soul and Strength.

(Deuteronomy 6:5) "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."

How can God richly bless us when we are only lukewarm? Blessings come as we turn up the heat and give our hearts completely to Him - to pursue His pleasure and His glory in All things in our lives.

Do all to the glory of God!