“How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.” Hebrews 2:3
When I was a child my thoughts at Christmas centred on what I might receive as gifts. This is generally the mindset of a child in the early years in regard to most things. As I grew into my teen and early adult years my mind was more concerned with what I could do with the holiday break. Later when I became a father the thought was more on what I would give to my children. This is part of the nature of maturity and taking responsibility in life.
This outline is also true of our walk with our Saviour. We came to Him because of what He is able to give us, eternal life, and take from us, the consequences of sin. As we progressed in our faith we began to look for things to do for Him. In Christian maturity however, we are concerned more with Him and what we can give Him – not get from Him.
In relation to other Christians and family this is also a sign of maturity. No relationship will last if it is based on what we can get out of it. This is why we have so many breakups in marriages and other relationships. They are often based on what one get out of it and not what can put into it.
Just as we want to come to maturity ourselves we also desire this for our children and grandchildren. None of us appreciate a grown person who still thinks only of their own wants and what they can get out of a relationship. The same is true for Christians. Let us go on to maturity and do all we can to ensure others do likewise.
What do you give to someone who has everything? Fortunately, in the Bible God lets us know what He desires of us. What He describes is not a list of projects or even a description of how we must live. He does give us a description of godliness in the Bible which is seen most notably in Jesus Christ. The description is not a requirement for acceptance but rather a guide for us so that we know when we are going astray, or remaining true to the nature of the Jesus Christ who lives in us.
We may give ourselves to programs and on special occasions do things for Him but in reality it is each day when we set aside time to be alone with Jesus and His Word that we please Him. It is then that we surrender ourselves afresh to Jesus and give Him the gift He desires. The gift He desires is our heart. When He has our heart He has our all.
Paul writes his expression of this concept in terms of surrendering ourselves to Jesus as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1, 2). That is, we live to please Him and not just to please ourselves.