Think of your relationships with others. Family, friends, associates. How much of the work do you do in those relationships?
In some relationships, the other person doesn’t make much of an effort. I can think of friends from college who are better at keeping in touch with me than I am with them. They are doing more of the work!
When you are doing 80-90% of the work in a relationship, it’s not much of a relationship, is it? That can be improved, but it takes time and effort. Most of all, it takes honesty and commitment.
How much of the work does Jesus do in his relationship with you? Is it 50/50? Do you and Jesus share equal responsibility? Balanced give and take?
Jesus gladly, proudly, and faithfully performs 100% of the work in your relationship with him!
He doesn’t ask you to do anything when it comes to saving you by grace. He doesn’t expect you to improve in order to be forgiven.
He doesn’t demand that you shape up before he hangs out with you.
He doesn’t want you to attend Bible school and then he’ll give you spiritual insight.
Your response will be a life of thanks, praise and obedience—but it’s all because of his 100% commitment.
So then, firm up your commitment to others in your life. Especially those relationships where you need to do more of the work. If it’s an important relationship and you want it to continue, be willing to work like Jesus does in his relationship with you.
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, you are so committed to me! I love you, Lord, and want to love others like you love me. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Read this ancient poem about Jesus’ humility and how it saves us, in Philippians 2:6-11.