The Quill and Me—Devotional Blog•Oswald Chambers Reflections 

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For you are all sons & daughters

of God through faith in Christ Jesus

Galatians 3:26

July 19
Today's Reading: My Utmost for His Highest
John 13:13
"You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am"

Choosing to Live Under His Lordship

Jesus respects our God‑given right to choose. His depth of respect is seen in the fact that He was slapped, spit upon, rejected by His own people, and yet never spoke a retaliatory word. Even on the cross He prayed, “Father, forgive them…” This reveals the heart of the Man — the heart of the God who came to redeem us.

So when it comes to submitting to Him as Lord of our lives, we choose to yield to the authority He already has. He never forces submission.

When we see Him — His love, His mercy, His care — our hearts naturally turn toward Him. He always has our best interests at the forefront of everything He does.

Our own sense of unworthiness resists submission. We think we must be worthy to come close to Him. But nothing we do can ever make us worthy.

The Holy Spirit in us makes us able to stand before God — not because of our worth, but because of Christ’s. Our bodies are His temple. We are dust, but He makes us His dwelling place.

When we see holiness in others, it exposes what is lacking in ourselves. They shine because He is living through them. Their submission allows His holiness to be seen.

We want what they have. We seek Him. And when we choose to submit to His authority, the Holy Spirit works the very nature of Jesus Christ into our lives as well.

Jesus waits for us to open our hearts because forced obedience destroys true authority. He never insists. He waits for us to recognize our weakness and our need. When we truly see Him, we want Him to be Lord.

He alone can carry us through the storms of life. Our whole life changes when He holds the wheel — no more wrecks, because He steadies our course.

If you are saved by the blood of Christ, believe He is the Son of God, and have received Him as your Savior, He is with you. Your body is His temple. You are made worthy because He dwells in you. He is nearer than your own breath.

Submission is your choice — but it also affirms the life of Christ within you. Submit, and let Him have His way with your heart. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Jesus obeyed the Father because He was the Son — not to become the Son. We obey Him because we belong to Him — not to become sons and daughters, but because we already are.

Prayer

Father, Your love and mercy shine all around us, help us see, feel, and rest in it.

Your grace is overflowing and bountiful, help us partake of it with willing hearts.

Teach us to submit to You because we belong to You.

We praise and thank You, Lord.

In Jesus precious name, Amen. 


Selah,
~ Quil

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Scripture References 

1. Christ’s gentleness and non‑retaliation

• Isaiah 53:7 — He was oppressed… yet He opened not His mouth.

• 1 Peter 2:23 — When He was reviled, He did not revile in return…

• Luke 23:34 — Father, forgive them…

2. Submission is voluntary — never forced

• John 13:13 — You call Me Teacher and Lord…

• Revelation 3:20 — I stand at the door and knock…

• Joshua 24:15 — Choose this day whom you will serve.

3. We submit because we see His love and mercy

• Romans 2:4 — His kindness leads us to repentance.

• Psalm 103:8 — The Lord is merciful and gracious…

4. Our unworthiness vs. Christ’s worthiness

• Ephesians 2:8–9 — Not of works…

• Titus 3:5 — Not by works of righteousness…

• Romans 8:1 — No condemnation for those in Christ.

5. The Holy Spirit makes us able to stand before God

• 1 Corinthians 6:19 — Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

• Romans 8:11 — The Spirit gives life to your mortal bodies.

• 2 Corinthians 3:5 — Our sufficiency is from God.

6. Holiness seen in others exposes our need

• Matthew 5:16 — Let your light shine…

• Philippians 2:13 — God works in you…

• Galatians 5:22–23 — Fruit of the Spirit.

7. Christ living through us

• Galatians 2:20 — Christ lives in me.

• Colossians 1:27 — Christ in you, the hope of glory.

8. He carries us through the storms

• Psalm 46:1 — A very present help in trouble.

• Mark 4:39–40 — Jesus calming the storm.

• Isaiah 41:10 — I will uphold you…

9. Our identity as sons and daughters

• Galatians 3:26 — You are all sons of God through faith…

• Romans 8:14–17 — We are children of God… heirs with Christ.

• 1 John 3:1 — We are called children of God.

10. Obedience flows from belonging

• John 14:15 — If you love Me, keep My commandments.

• John 15:5 — Apart from Me you can do nothing.

• 1 John 2:3–6 — Obedience as evidence of knowing Him.

 

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