No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
In 1904 the heir to the Borden Dairy Estate, William Borden, graduated from Chicago High School a millionaire. His parents gave him a trip around the world as a graduation present. During that trip he became burdened for all the hurting people he saw in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. He made a decision to prepare for the mission field. When he made that decision he wrote in his Bible the words, “No Reserve.” When William Borden arrived at Yale University the next year as a freshman his passion for Christ was already kindled. He was disappointed to find the school morally bankrupt and the teaching filled with empty philosophy. So during his first semester, he asked a friend to begin praying with him before breakfast. As a result of his leadership other prayer groups began to spring up. And by his senior year, 1,000 of the 1,300 students were meeting in prayer groups. Many of those young leaders came to the Lord through that movement.
Upon graduation he was offered high paying jobs. But he turned those offers down and continued to pursue God’s call on his life. While making those decisions he wrote two more words in his Bible, the words “No Retreat.” When he completed his graduate studies at Princeton Seminary he sailed to China to work with the Muslims. On the way he stopped in Egypt to study Arabic. But there in Egypt he was stricken with spinal meningitis and within a month at the age of 25 he died. What his friends and family found written in his Bible was a great source of comfort. Added to the words previously written, “No Reserve, No Retreat” were two more words, “No Regrets.”
Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing for you and me to arrive at the end of our earthly journey with those words written in our hearts, “No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets”? William Borden is an example of a person who entered into his ministry and fulfilled God’s plan for his life and could come to the end with “No Regrets”.
Even though William lived only to 25, he left behind a legacy that has inspired thousands. Even though he was a millionaire, it was not an earthly inheritance that made this man’s life a victory, but the inheritance he gained through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He knew what was most important in his life and completely gave himself to it – with no regrets.
In the verses above Paul reminds us of the one thing in our life that occupies the place of first importance. It is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Why is this of first importance in our life?
* Because of What He Did. It is not just that he died and was buried, as happens with every human being. But that he rose again on the third day. That’s the astonishing thing. There have been many great religious leaders throughout history who have taught many wise things. But none of them had power over the grave. Only Jesus had the power to conquer sin and death.
* Because of Who He Is. Jesus repeated revealed that he was not just a great teacher – but that He was God incarnate. Though His miracles, his love, & his grace he showed that he was more than a man. He repeated taught, “I and the Father are one.” He continually showed kindness and compassion ye he was still rejected by nearly everyone. When our Lord came into the world, He was mocked and scorned, hated - a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. He was humbled, He allowed Himself to be treated so terribly – he allowed all manner of evil things to be said about him. In spite of the fact that he had never done anything to harm another person, people said His miraculous power was from the devil himself. They battered Him, they spit on Him, they pushed a crown of thorns into His head, they drove nails through His hands and feet, they rammed a spear into His side. They put Him on display naked as a laughing stock. But none of that could stop him from accomplishing what he came to earth to do. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) How great this matchless love for us!
* Because of What He Promises. Jesus made many great and wonderful promises during his earthly ministry. But perhaps the greatest is “Because I live you shall live also.” (John 14:19) The death he died – he died for us all. The life he lives, he provides for anyone who chooses to receive it. But of course what makes this promise so great is that it is more than a promise – it’s a deliverance! Only Jesus is able to keep a promise like this – he proved he can keep his word by leaving an empty tomb behind.
What would you say occupies the position of “first importance” in your life? This year as you remember the death and burial of Jesus Christ and celebrate his resurrection, remember to thank God for placing you in the position of “first importance” on his agenda. He loves you so much that Jesus endured the cross on your behalf. Recommit to serving him with no reserve, no retreat, and no regrets. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Live the Victorious Life,
PT
In 1904 the heir to the Borden Dairy Estate, William Borden, graduated from Chicago High School a millionaire. His parents gave him a trip around the world as a graduation present. During that trip he became burdened for all the hurting people he saw in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. He made a decision to prepare for the mission field. When he made that decision he wrote in his Bible the words, “No Reserve.” When William Borden arrived at Yale University the next year as a freshman his passion for Christ was already kindled. He was disappointed to find the school morally bankrupt and the teaching filled with empty philosophy. So during his first semester, he asked a friend to begin praying with him before breakfast. As a result of his leadership other prayer groups began to spring up. And by his senior year, 1,000 of the 1,300 students were meeting in prayer groups. Many of those young leaders came to the Lord through that movement.
Upon graduation he was offered high paying jobs. But he turned those offers down and continued to pursue God’s call on his life. While making those decisions he wrote two more words in his Bible, the words “No Retreat.” When he completed his graduate studies at Princeton Seminary he sailed to China to work with the Muslims. On the way he stopped in Egypt to study Arabic. But there in Egypt he was stricken with spinal meningitis and within a month at the age of 25 he died. What his friends and family found written in his Bible was a great source of comfort. Added to the words previously written, “No Reserve, No Retreat” were two more words, “No Regrets.”
Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing for you and me to arrive at the end of our earthly journey with those words written in our hearts, “No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets”? William Borden is an example of a person who entered into his ministry and fulfilled God’s plan for his life and could come to the end with “No Regrets”.
Even though William lived only to 25, he left behind a legacy that has inspired thousands. Even though he was a millionaire, it was not an earthly inheritance that made this man’s life a victory, but the inheritance he gained through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He knew what was most important in his life and completely gave himself to it – with no regrets.
In the verses above Paul reminds us of the one thing in our life that occupies the place of first importance. It is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Why is this of first importance in our life?
* Because of What He Did. It is not just that he died and was buried, as happens with every human being. But that he rose again on the third day. That’s the astonishing thing. There have been many great religious leaders throughout history who have taught many wise things. But none of them had power over the grave. Only Jesus had the power to conquer sin and death.
* Because of Who He Is. Jesus repeated revealed that he was not just a great teacher – but that He was God incarnate. Though His miracles, his love, & his grace he showed that he was more than a man. He repeated taught, “I and the Father are one.” He continually showed kindness and compassion ye he was still rejected by nearly everyone. When our Lord came into the world, He was mocked and scorned, hated - a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. He was humbled, He allowed Himself to be treated so terribly – he allowed all manner of evil things to be said about him. In spite of the fact that he had never done anything to harm another person, people said His miraculous power was from the devil himself. They battered Him, they spit on Him, they pushed a crown of thorns into His head, they drove nails through His hands and feet, they rammed a spear into His side. They put Him on display naked as a laughing stock. But none of that could stop him from accomplishing what he came to earth to do. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) How great this matchless love for us!
* Because of What He Promises. Jesus made many great and wonderful promises during his earthly ministry. But perhaps the greatest is “Because I live you shall live also.” (John 14:19) The death he died – he died for us all. The life he lives, he provides for anyone who chooses to receive it. But of course what makes this promise so great is that it is more than a promise – it’s a deliverance! Only Jesus is able to keep a promise like this – he proved he can keep his word by leaving an empty tomb behind.
What would you say occupies the position of “first importance” in your life? This year as you remember the death and burial of Jesus Christ and celebrate his resurrection, remember to thank God for placing you in the position of “first importance” on his agenda. He loves you so much that Jesus endured the cross on your behalf. Recommit to serving him with no reserve, no retreat, and no regrets. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Live the Victorious Life,
PT
posted by Larry | 1:27 PM
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