Let Us Keep to the Point: Living for His Highest
Reflecting on My Utmost for His Highest
Oswald Chambers' reflection on Philippians 1:20 reminds us of the centrality of surrender in the Christian life. Paul’s determination to honor Christ with "fearless courage" speaks to a life wholly devoted to God's purposes. This is a call for us to live without reservation, offering our utmost for His highest, even when obedience comes at great personal cost.
The Surrender of Will: Yielding Without Debate
Paul’s words—"My eager desire and hope being that I may never feel ashamed"—highlight his unrelenting commitment to Christ. Chambers emphasizes that reaching such a place of total surrender is not a matter of reasoning or debate but of a decisive act of will.
We often find ourselves hesitating at the point of surrender, entangled by considerations of what it might cost us—or others—to obey Christ’s call. We rationalize our hesitation, telling ourselves that we are considering others' needs, yet beneath this lies a deeper resistance to yielding control. Chambers challenges us to shut out every other consideration and focus on one thing: giving our utmost for His highest.
God Knows What Our Obedience Will Cost
The struggle to surrender often stems from the fear that obedience will bring undue harm or hardship. Yet, God knows the full implications of what He asks from us. He understands the ripple effects of our obedience far better than we do. Our role is not to figure out the consequences but to trust the One who calls us. When we keep to the point—choosing to honor Christ above all—we can live with the assurance that God will work all things for His glory and our good (Romans 8:28).
The Great Divide: A Crisis of Decision
Chambers reminds us that God often brings us to a crisis moment—a point of decision where we must choose for or against His will. These moments mark a "Great Divide" in our spiritual journey, where we either move closer to God's heart or drift further away. Paul’s unwavering declaration—"Whether that means life or death, no matter!" (Philippians 1:21)—is a model of complete trust and undeterred holiness. Such a stance often comes through the crucible of crisis, where God's gentle invitations give way to more pressing calls to surrender.
Living for His Highest
Paul’s life exemplifies what it means to live for Christ’s highest purposes. His resolve to honor Jesus in life or death challenges us to ask ourselves:
Are we holding anything back from God?
Are we willing to surrender, even when it costs us deeply?
Will we trust God with the consequences of our obedience?
Each of us must answer these questions at the crossroads of surrender.
A Prayer of Dedication
Lord, You know the cost of our obedience and the hesitations that hold us back. Thank You for calling us to live for Your highest purposes. Today, we choose to yield our wills to You completely. May our lives bring glory to You, whether in life or in death, as we walk in fearless courage and unreserved devotion. Amen.
A Final Thought
Surrender is not a one-time act but a daily choice to align our lives with Christ’s purposes. As we face moments of decision, let us keep to the point, trusting that God knows the cost of our obedience and will sustain us as we offer Him our utmost for His highest.