(Love That Freely Serves and Communion That Fully Satisfies)

July 2nd reminds the believer that true discipleship is not a life of reluctant obligation but of loving devotion. The believer serves Christ because his heart has been won by him. And as that communion deepens, the greatest desire of the life becomes not merely the gifts of Christ, but Christ himself.

A Disciple Is a Devoted Bondservant

Chambers writes:

“To be a disciple is to be a devoted bondservant motivated by love for the Lord Jesus.” (My Utmost for His Highest)

Chambers reminds us that discipleship is fundamentally relational.

A servant may obey because he must.

A bondservant serves because he has willingly given himself.

Love has settled the question of ownership.

The believer no longer belongs to himself.

Yet this surrender is not forced.

It is the glad response of a heart that has come to know the worthiness of Christ.

The Son himself lived in joyful obedience to the Father.

His service was never mechanical.

It proceeded from perfect love and perfect communion.

The believer is called into that same pattern.

Obedience is not merely the keeping of commandments.

It is the expression of a relationship.

The spirit of sonship delights to do the Father’s will because it increasingly shares the mind of the Son.

As love deepens, obedience becomes less the burden of duty and more the natural expression of communion.

The believer serves because he loves.

And he loves because the Father has first made himself known through the Son.

The Presence of Christ Is Heaven Itself

Spurgeon writes:

“Truly, the presence of Jesus is all the heaven we desire.”
(Morning and Evening)

Spurgeon directs the believer to the highest object of desire.

It is possible to long for heaven because of its peace.

Its beauty.

Its freedom from sorrow.

Its everlasting life.

Yet all these blessings derive their meaning from one greater reality.

Christ is there.

The greatest joy of heaven is not simply its perfection.

It is the unhindered communion enjoyed with the Son.

This truth begins even now.

The believer’s deepest satisfaction is not found merely in answered prayers, spiritual experiences, or future rewards.

It is found in knowing Christ.

Communion with him is the foretaste of everything heaven will ultimately be.

The more the life is occupied with Christ himself, the less it depends upon changing circumstances for its joy.

His presence becomes the soul’s true home.

Where the Two Meet: Love Finds Its Rest in His Presence

These truths belong together beautifully.

Chambers shows us the devotion of discipleship.

Spurgeon shows us the object of that devotion.

The believer does not serve an abstract cause.

He serves a living Lord.

And the more deeply he knows Christ, the more gladly he yields himself to him.

Love produces service.

Communion deepens love.

The cycle continues throughout the believer’s life.

One truth reveals the character of discipleship.

The other reveals its highest reward.

The greatest privilege of serving Christ is not the work itself.

It is the fellowship enjoyed with the One we serve.

Pastoral Orientation

July 2nd calls for loving devotion and continual communion.

Do not think of discipleship merely as duty. Let love for Christ become the motive of your obedience.

Do not seek only the blessings Christ gives. Seek Christ himself.

As you continue walking “after the spirit,” you will find that service becomes joyful as love deepens, and that your greatest satisfaction is found not in what Christ provides, but in communion with Christ himself.

Love the Lord wholeheartedly. Remain in his presence.

And you will discover a life that is freely surrendered, joyfully obedient, and continually satisfied through communion with the Son, whose fellowship is the beginning, the strength, and the everlasting joy of the spirit of sonship before the Father.