Not Your Work, But You



Except ye be converted, and become as little children... (Matt 18:3)
It is not so much your work as you that God wants; at least he wants you first, and then your work. Service from hearts that are not really consecrated to God is not pleasing to him. We are in danger of forgetting this in our busy, bustling days. It is easier to offer God a few activities than to give him a heart. The tendency of the religious life at present is to work, to service, rather than to loving God. So we need to remind ourselves continually that loving must come before doing and serving. The largest and most conspicuous work will find no acceptance with God if our hearts are not his.

"Tis not thy work the Master needs, but thee--
The obedient spirit, the believing heart,
The child obedient, trustful, glad to be
Where'er He will, to stay or to depart."


Psalms 51:16-17: For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (KJV)
Proverbs 4:23: Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (KJV)
Proverbs 23:26: My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. (KJV)
Matthew 15:7-9 (also Mark 7:6): Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (KJV)


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