01/07/2019
How complete is our dedication to Jesus Christ? Is He the sole reason for our living, or just another ingredient in our life? Our lives are so full of activities such as work, play, raising children, artistic endeavors, education, and so much more... how is it that we are able to squeeze Jesus into this busy schedule? We do so by making Him the foundation, guiding principle, and focus of everything else. How is your life ordered? What would you sell for Him?
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Philippians 1:21 ESV
Living our lives is a complex business these days. We are expected to do so much, and honor the value of so many diverse things before society considers us successful... much less normal. If you live under a bridge, not because you have no choice, but out of personal desire because it allows you certain freedoms... you are considered odd and treated as a lesser citizen. If you choose not to take a promotion at work because you are happy doing what you do each day you are looked on as being unmotivated, and possibly a bad fit for your company. So when you place Jesus at the heart of all you do, when Christian values become the focus of your life, you will be labeled by the world as a zealot, a religious nut, a do-gooder and marginalized by worldly society. This is the choice that we as Christians must make, and it is not very different than living under a bridge, or choosing happiness and self fulfillment over self advancement and promotion.
I would like to say that this is a modern occurrence, and that these pressures we feel to be normal or successful in the world are new, but they are not. They exist now, and they existed in the time of Jesus. Remember the story regarding the rich young ruler?
“Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
Matthew 19:21-22 ESV
It was no different then than now. If Jesus came to you today and told you to leave your home, your family, your job, your nice clothes, and car, and to follow Him... what would your choice be? Think hard before you blurt out “follow Him!” Because you need to be honest with yourself. Charles Spurgeon also asked this question, but in a slightly different way...
“Can you honestly say that for you to live is Christ? Your business - are you doing it for Christ? Is it not done for self-aggrandizement and family advantage? “Is that a dishonorable reason?” You ask. For Christians it is. We profess to live for Christ; how can we live for anything else without committing a spiritual adultery?” - Charles Spurgeon
Not every Christian is asked to sell or leave all they have, but they are asked to be prepared to do so. Jesus Christ should be our most valuable possession... our pearl of great value. To obtain Him we should be willing to liquidate all we have so that we can pay His price.
“"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:45-46 ESV
We must be convinced, and live in such a way, that He is the focus of our living. When someone evaluates our life they should see that one pearl in our hand, and understand that to us this is not just a treasure we value, but our greatest treasure. To make Jesus this valuable in our lives is not easy... Consider this... if one of your children was dying, and you could give them an organ that would save their life, but possibly kill you, or at best shorten your life; would you give it to them? Yes! This is equivalent to selling all you own for them. Now... would you do that for a total stranger? How about the ragged man living under the bridge? Would you give your life right now for Jesus who owned nothing but what he wore? How do we imitate Jesus in our life?
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10:11 ESV
You quite possibly make this life or death choice each day when you leave home, and don’t realize it... you place your own wealth and position above Him, and quite possibly do unchristian things to get ahead; you sacrifice Him for that next advancement, or another sale. Oh, you probably have a noble reason... to feed my family, or to put a roof over our head, maybe even to support your church, but is that really true, or is it a bigger house, position, power, or other things? Are they worth abandoning the life Jesus would have you live to get? What do sinners see when they look at you? Is their soul lost by your example?
“"'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"”
Matthew 15:8-9 ESV
So let’s look inward, and ask again... “How complete is my dedication to Jesus Christ? Is He the sole reason for my living, or just another ingredient in my worldly life?” Do I pick Him up when convenient and lay Him down the same way?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who orders my life after Himself, and you. Thank you Father for sending Him to demonstrate what it means to love you, and to teach us the meaning of sacrifice. Help me Holy Father to live out my life with you at the heart of all I do... prepared to lay down all I have to follow you as your Son. Use me Blessed Lord to serve you all my days, whether that be as a pauper, or a wealthy lord, let all I have be yours, and my greatest desire be to do your will. Never let my personal advancement supersede my longing to kneel before you, to feed your less fortunate, to deliver the saving words of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Keep my eyes focused on you Lord, and my heart circumcised that I might be sensitive to your every request of me. Go with me into the world, and strengthen me as I show those who live there what a perfect pearl I have found in you; let them see that what they deem to be my sacrifice for you is to me my greatest treasure. Hold me up before them Holy Father, and let each one see your reflection in my face, and your character in all I do each day. Speak to those who are lost in the world’s values by using my life, and use your peace and rest in me as words of power in their lives. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who asks so little, but gives everything. Great are you who could expect our life, but asks only that we kneel at your throne... fully prepared to offer it.
“You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalms 73:24-26 ESV
Rich Forbes