by David Brenneman
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20.
“For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:20.
“For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” Romans 14:7-8.
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:1-2.
A common first thought for people in deep despair is to ask "What do I have to live for?" The real question is not what but who.
We who are in Christ were bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
“knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”
1 Peter 1:18-19.
How do you then live a life that honors such an act as what Jesus did for you? By living each day honorably in His sight. Striving for a life lived with His approval.
I have been blessed with knowing quite a few really Godly men in my life. I often look to these as role models of what a life in Christ is to look like. What characteristics did they share that stood out as followers of Jesus Christ?
A very big thought that they all had in common was that there's no Biblical path of retirement on this Earth. They all lived or are living all their days in service to their personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
There was and is no mistaking who they lived for.
Many in the faith struggle because their commitment to what the Spirit is teaching them is no where near as solid as it should be.
Look at the examples in the New Testament. Look at what was indeed written for our instruction as the Scriptures says of itself.
We have what we need to live a life in Christ Jesus that will honor His blood sacrifice to save us. What's required of us is the follow-through to stay the course. To run the race set before us in Christ. To pursue a life in Christ that will earn us a "Well done!" from our living Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We don't truly have the option of retirement from serving and dedicated learning from the Lord in any capacity.
We should never consider time in the Word of God as optional.
We should never have an acquaintance relationship with Jesus.
Our relationship with Jesus ought to be personal. Personal in that we continue on no matter what in this race set before us until we cross that line leading into Heaven's door or the Rapture of the Church.
Jesus endured the cross for us.
Jesus took on the beatings meant for us.
Jesus received the nails in His feet and His hands in our place.
Jesus was scourged in our place.
These are the reasons for who we live for.
We live for Him for the great love with which He's loved us.
Think about this today and every day.
As the old hymn says "Living for Jesus a life that is true, striving to please Him in all that I do, yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
this is the pathway of blessing for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee;
for Thou, in Thine attonement,
didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other master;
my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.
-Thomas Chisholm 1917 "Living for Jesus".
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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