BIBLE PASSAGE:
“And He died for all, that those who live should
no longer live for themselves but for him who
died for them and was raised again.”
(2 Corinthians 5:15)
MEDITATION:
Songwriter and singer, Bob Dylan wrote a song titled,
“Gotta Serve Somebody”.
The theme of the song was,
“no matter who you are, or where you are in life, you
still have to serve somebody; there is always someone
above you”.
Even the CEO of a company has to report to the stockholders.
One of the lines in the song is,
“Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord,
but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.”
I don’t know if Dylan is a Christian or not, but this line
in his song is true. We are serving a human here on earth,
but we are also serving either Satan, or the Lord.
Have you given any thoughts to your purpose in life?
I can’t speak for the girls, but I am qualified to speak
for boys/men, since I was/am one.
Considering how rambunctious us boys can be, it may
be surprising to know that most of us grow up with the
idea of getting a job, getting married, and providing for
our families.
Some want to follow in their dad’s footsteps and make
their career the same as his. Of course there are also
the thoughts that some have of being a professional
athlete, entertainer, etc.
But even with dreams of greatness, we still have thoughts
of families and careers. It takes some a little longer than
others to realize their dream of having a career in the
spotlight is just not going to happen.
This realization can cause some to make bad decisions until
they mature enough to accept the reality they will have to
pursue a different career. It can also have a positive impact
on some when they realize it early, and pursue college or
special training to improve their skills.
There are some who are just not ‘cut out’ for higher education,
and its good for the world to have people like that. Some jobs
require a formal education, but other jobs are just as important.
We need men and women who know how to work with their hands.
Imagine the look of America without factory workers, farmers,
firemen, policemen, etc.
The work force needs white collar, blue collar and gray collar
workers – they are all equally important. The challenge for
each ‘boy’ and ‘girl’ is to determine which category best fits
them, and then look for opportunities to develop a career in
that area.
The question we have to consider is,
“Once I have discovered the career that best suits me, and
I have a family and am providing for them, what then?”
We may have a career that is well-defined and established,
but is there anything else that is important in life?
Should all of our time and energy be devoted to a successful
career, or is there more to life? At the end of our career, what
are our new goals? Are we prepared, and qualified for any new
goals?
For those without faith in Jesus Christ, having a job and
providing for their families may be the extent of their goals.
However, the scriptures tell us that believers actually have
another goal in addition to pursuing a successful career.
Once we have received God’s salvation, we have a new focus.
In addition to striving to provide for ourselves and our families,
we are told to also “live for Christ” (who died for us and rose again).
Of course, many will say that they things like,
“I really don’t have time to live for Jesus, right now”.
They convince themselves that being a good father and husband,
or mother and wife, means they are doing exactly what the Lord
wants them to do.
Of course that’s true, but God’s Word tells us that more is
expected from those who belong to Him as members of His
family. Even though we have a good understanding of our
responsibilities, and are diligently trying to do all that is
expected, we might be ignoring God’s expectations to
“live for the Lord” as well.
If we work for a fair and generous boss, we are more inclined to
put forth special efforts to do, not just a good job, but a great one.
However, no matter how good our boss may be to us, he or she
can never come close to blessing us in the same way Jesus did.
If we sincerely appreciate His sacrifice for us (which gave us
the opportunity to spend eternity in heaven with Him), then it
makes sense that we would have a desire to “live for Him”,
doesn’t it?
How do we live for Him? We begin by consistently spending
time with Him (through prayer, worship, bible reading, etc.).
We dedicate ourselves to obeying His commands. We ask Him
to show us our spiritual gift (or gifts) which are given to each
person when they are saved.
When talking to other believers, Paul said:
For just as each of us has one body with many members,
and these members do not all have the same function, so
in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member
belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according
to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,
then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving,
then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage,
then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously;
if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it
cheerfully. (Romans 12:4-8)
Once we know our spiritual gift (or gifts), we use them to serve
the Lord in whatever capacity He desires. It is important for us
to spend our lives living for Him. When we do, not only does it
change our own lives for the better, but we can also contribute
to a life-changing experience for those around us. Of course,
God is the One who convicts and saves everyone, but He gives
us an opportunity to be involved as well.
What a great goal for everyone – to know that we can have
a positive influence on others, which could change where
they will spend eternity.
Paul says that when we are saved, we ‘no longer live for ourselves’,
but we ‘live for Him’. He encourages us to trade in our selfishness
for selflessness. It is no longer ‘all about us’, it is about others and
Jesus Christ.
Paul realized that:
He was accountable to Christ for his service, and he wanted
to give a good account of how he served Him at the judgment
seat of Christ.
So we make it our goal to please him, whether we
are at home in the body or away from it. For we
must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
so that each of us may receive what is due us for
the things done while in the body, whether good
or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:9-10)
Christ’s love was the motivation for his desire to see
others enjoy the same love that he had experienced.
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are
convinced that one died for all, and therefore
all died. (2 Corinthians 5:14)
A lost and dying world needs Christ, the Savior.
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,
as though God were making His appeal
through us. We implore you on Christ’s
behalf: Be reconciled to God.
(2 Corinthians 5:20)
ACTION:
Have you included “living for Jesus” in your own life? If you
are a believer and are not living for Him, then why not? Do
you have concerns for those around you, or do you have a
self-centered attitude? Do your selfish personal feelings and
emotions control you, or have you invited the Lord to take
control of your life?
What is your spiritual gift? How are you using your gift?
What report will you give at the judgment seat of Christ?
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for my salvation. Thank
You for the spiritual gift You have given me. Forgive
me if I am not using Your gift as I should. Help me to
set aside my selfishness; create in me a desire and passion
to obey and serve You, and to see others learning about
Your love. Give me a desire to share Your love with others.
Help me to realize that talking to You about others, will
make it easier for me to talk to others about You. Lord,
You can read my heart and You know if there are any of
Your commands that I have chosen to not obey. I want to
live a life that pleases You over pleasing myself. Forgive
me for my disobedience and create in me a new heart of
obedience and love for You above all things, including
my self-centeredness.”
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