I just finished reading John MacArthur's book, "Slave." Towards the end of the book, he references the life of George Muller, whose life was lived as a Father to the Fatherless, beginning a ministry to orphans in Bristol, England, when he was around thirty years old. God captured his heart for those trapped in the chains of poverty, with a particular compassion for children who were without a Mom and a Dad. MacArthur explains:
"[George] Muller's heart was captivated by an indefatigable desire to serve and glorify his Lord. Having been rescued from slavery to sin, he was now the willing slave of Jesus Christ. As D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones observed,
There was a day when I died, utterly died, died to George Muller and his opinions, preferences, tastes and will; died to the world, its approval or censure; died to the approval or blame of even my bretheren and friends; and since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God."
Prior to reading this, I had spent some time in solitude worshipping and praying, asking the Lord what He was teaching me over the years, what He was teaching me now. I sensed in my Spirit that the Lord was saying, "I've been teaching you how to die." My response to the Lord was, "Yes, I see that. Keep showing me how. Lead me." Shortly after, I picked up MacArthur's book and read the Muller quote (above). It was as if God was continuing our conversation, showing me how to die to self; and, in dying, truly living.
The bottom line of MacArthur's book is this: To be a Christian is to be a slave of Christ. Paul put it this way in Philippains 1:21, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Romans 6:22 says, "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life."
I invite you to join me in this simple prayer I am praying. Father, give me an indefatigable desire to glorify You with my life. Show me how to die so that I may live. May I live to show myself approved of You. You are my Lord, my Master. I pray this in the Sovereign name of Jesus. Amen.
[Music That Inspires: Audrey Assad's, "Show Me."]






