Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Not to expect thanks

Pam Padgett ... teacher

Jesus instructed us to not expect thanks, thinking highly of ourselves, when we do what is right  ...

Luke 17:7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? 9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

If we do anything that is truly good, it is because God has led us and enabled us to do this.  We are simply following what God has given us to do, as unprofitable servants. 

The flesh is always looking for ways to exalt itself, including trying to show itself to be "good".   But the flesh can bring forth nothing good.  Paul said  .... For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (Romans 7:18)