Hebrews 13:20-21 English Standard Version

Benediction

20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Every good thing comes to us through our Lord Jesus Christ, for His glory not our own.

We all like to be seen. It makes us feel alive.

Colossians 3:3 English Standard Version (ESV) For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

The desire to be seen is of the flesh. The desire for praise is of the flesh.

Matthew 6:1 English Standard Version (ESV) “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”

Our motivation for doing good should not be for rewards. That which is given for good comes to the Son by the Father because He loves the Son and glorifies His Son. Love is the motivation that allows the Son to use us to do the Father’s will. We wouldn’t even know the Father’s will if it were not for the love we have for the Son.

Romans 12:1-2 English Standard Version

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

No one can sacrifice self for selfish reasons.

Romans 6:4 English Standard Version (ESV) We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

A new life does not operate in the old ways.

Leviticus 4:27-28 English Standard Version

27 “If anyone of the common people sins unintentionally in doing any one of the things that by the Lord’s commandments ought not to be done, and realizes his guilt, 28 or the sin which he has committed is made known to him, he shall bring for his offering a goat, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has committed.

These commands are written for the common people, not to uncommon people.

What makes one common and the others special?

Also note that the command addresses his unintentional sin and does not include women.

Why is the man commanded and the women ignored?

Note the female goat is offered for sacrifice.

Why is the female sacrificed and the male free to live?

It is always easier to ask questions than to answer them.

Here is a question to ponder. Does the injustice of it all bother you?

If it does, does that question our ability to trust God? God has a plan and a purpose in all things and when we are bothered by what we deem to be an injustice we want to see justice done. It is a natural reaction to the life we live in the flesh. It is a common emotion.

Luke 11:42 English Standard Version (ESV) “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”

Those with titles and responsibilities are held to a higher standard by our Lord.

Suddenly it sounds easier to be common and trust that God is just. That goes against how we feel to be loved by God and how that great love makes us feel special. We are not alone in those feelings, it is common amongst all His children.

If we desire the better gifts, remember that they also come with greater responsibilities and higher standards.