The Quill and Me—Devotional Blog•Oswald Chambers Reflections  
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Aug 25
Today's Reading: My Utmost for His Highest 
John 15:15
"I have called you friends . . ." 

Sacrifice Without Hesitation

The Lord called the disciples His friends and laid down His life for them. John 15:13-14; "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

We are asked to sacrifice ourselves to Him without hesitation. There is no greater love... and the Holy Spirit has that love waiting for us when we give ourselves to Him. 

But we tend to hesitate and put stipulations on our self-sacrifice saying: "I would surrender but..." or "I guess I have to devote myself to Christ now..." with a reluctant tone. These attitudes steal the joy that the Holy Spirit has waiting for us. When we finally come to the realization that self-sacrifice must be wholehearted, the Holy Spirit pours out a love for Jesus so great it cannot be contained. 

The Lord Himself is our example... His life was completely surrendered to the Father. To do the Father's will was His only and ultimate goal. His life was broken bread and poured out wine; totally focused on the Father's will. His obedience led Him to the cross to fulfill His Father's plan. 

And the results? The temple veil was torn, opening the door to the inner sanctum of Almighty God. His life was sacrificed so that we might be saved from eternal damnation. 

Why would we not want to sacrifice our lives to Him—for Him to be glorified? He lived and died for us. To restore us to the Father. Through surrender, we become sanctified saints. We do not have to hang on a cross and suffer the way Jesus did. We just have to humbly bow and release control of our stubborn will. Give it to Him for safekeeping, and become fully surrendered to God for His sake, His honor, His glory. This is not pay-back. This is love. 

The Holy Spirit will pour His love for Jesus into us when we release our control and let Him take His rightful place on the Throne of our lives. He will rule with a love so great it will humble you.

Your new life will not resemble your old one at all. With the Potter's hands molding you and working the very nature of Jesus Christ into you, the evidence will soon begin to shine outwardly. Your new life will be a reflection of your love and devotion for Him—pure, humble, self-sacrificed, and surrendered by choice of your own free will to the one that calls you His friend. 

Breath Prayer

I give my life to You, without hesitation.

Unselfishly I give it, with love.

Selah,

~ Quil

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Supporting Scripture References

Matthew 16:24 — “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Luke 9:23 — “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Romans 12:1 — “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Mark 8:34–38 — “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross…”

John 15:13 — “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Romans 5:8 — “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
1 John 3:16 — “Jesus Christ laid down His life for us… we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
Ephesians 5:2 — “Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Romans 6:13 — “Present yourselves to God… as instruments of righteousness.”

Hebrews 13:15–16 — “Offer to God a sacrifice of praise… do good and share with others.”

Philippians 2:3–4 — “In humility value others above yourselves…”

Galatians 5:13 — “Serve one another humbly in love.”

John 15:15 — “I have called you friends.”