02/04/2023
Who do we live for? Who have we chosen above ourselves? These are the questions I am contemplating this morning. I am thinking about the spiritual aspect of these questions, but also upon the impact that our life choices have on who, or what, we value as well. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote these words...
“For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”
2 Corinthians 5:13-15 KJV
There are so many things that distract us from our faith and quite often they prevent us from realizing the fullness of that faith and, in the truest form, turning our lives over to the Lord, but there are certain things that are singularly strong enough to change who we live for, and who we would die for.
It is not by mistake that Paul uses the example of sobriety; this is a double message. First he is saying that serving God is akin to being intoxicated by faith... we would do anything and everything for that next drink of the Holy Spirit... we have abandoned what our earth-bound selves would chose, and placed God above all else.
The second half of this metaphor is that drunkenness and alcoholism in our physical body becomes one of those things that can singularly be the focus of our lives. Addiction, whether it is alcohol, drugs, money, or sex, can control us to the point where God is second... third... or fourth behind them. I knew a man who died while crossing a busy street in Murfreesboro Tennessee. He was drunk at the time, but the desire for another drink led him into the street, and death. He was willing to risk death for the alcohol that was first in his life.
There are certain things that we should place great value on, and rightly so. We value the love of our wife and children, the love of friends, the basic needs of our body, but nothing should eclipse our love of Christ. Unlike many of the things we have discussed so far, Jesus isn't, and will never be, a destructive force in our lives. When we place Him in control, he constrains us... He places all things in order.
I have heard it said, on many occasions, that an addict can not defeat their addiction without undergoing a spiritual experience. Those who say this are right... Jesus can restore the balance to lives that are out of kilter. He constrains our desires and redirects our longings; we become a creature who has but one head instead of a hydra who is ruled by many whims, desires, and gods. Jesus brings constraint into an uncontrolled life.
Paul is telling us that when we realize that Jesus came to die for us so that we might have life abundantly, we begin to place Him in control of our daily existence. We yield to the good shepherd over our flock.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10:10-11 ESV
So to the questions of today... who do we live for, and who do we choose to be above ourselves? Well these questions have more than one answer... we live for those we love, and we choose others above even our own lives. What we should have asked is...
Who do we place first in our lives?
Who do we choose above all things?
If we ask ourselves these questions then we get to the most important answer; the one that is foundational and provides the basis for all the others.
“Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”
1 Peter 2:6 KJV
Jesus is our cornerstone; the foundation of our lives. We are building a house of many stones, but only one gives it direction and provides for the good foundation of all else.
“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”
Ephesians 2:20 KJV
The answer to our questions? Well, Jesus should be first in our lives because it is only by Him that we come to the Father...
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
John 14:6 KJV
And, as for who do we choose above all things? Well of course that would be God the Father, because none come before Him.
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
Exodus 20:3 KJV
Prayer:
Father, you are my God, my only God... none comes before you. I thank you for your son Jesus Christ who places my life in order and constrains me in all things. Lord, when the desires and temptations of this world lure and confound me, I thank you for your steadfast nature and guidance. You are my rock and my foundation. You give me safe harbor from all storms. You set my course when there are no stars in the sky. You never disavow or fail me. Thank you for your unwavering presence, and the love with which you lavish upon me. No lamb was ever carried by a more doting shepherd, and no sheep provided more carefully for... you are indeed my good shepherd. Praised be your name, and all glory be your crown. Holy, Holy, Holy are you my God who was, and is, and is to come. Holy, Holy, Holy are you my God who was, and is, and is to come.
Rich Forbes