I don’t know if it’s the way I’m wired, or I developed into this over time, but I am a driven and goal-oriented person. I believe I’m here for a purpose, not just to drift through life. It doesn’t even make sense to me God would create us to pass through life without intention. The apostle Paul told us we have all been created for specific work (Ephesians 2:10).
So, even if you don’t consider yourself to be driven or goal-oriented, it’s important to understand no one gets a pass when it comes to living their lives for Jesus. Each follower of Christ is mission-bound to live with purpose and intention. It’s how Jesus lived and how we must also if we are serious about living as His disciple and patterning our lives after His.
Nothing seems to get under my skin more than a professing Christian who is doing nothing to move in the direction of Jesus with their life. What’s the point of being a Christ-follower if you aren’t going to follow Him? Remember, no one gets a pass. If you have asked Jesus to be the Lord of your life, then you must let Him be just that. Those who profess Jesus with their lips but deny Him with their mouths are not going to make it. Jesus said of these people, that while they might call on His name, He’ll send them away saying He never knew them (Matthew 7:22-23).
There is a cost to following Christ and it is one you must be willing to pay. The alternative is to spend eternity banished from His presence in what I can only imagine as the loneliest, most painful, and desolate place in the spiritual realm. While this alone is enough to make one desire Christ, it cannot be our motivation. The reason we follow Jesus is that we are in love with Him and would do anything for Him. He gave everything for us and our love for Him compels us to do the same for Him.
I know no one gets a pass, and certainly not me. I know there is a cost to pay, but what is even more important is I know it is more than worth it. There is no price I would not pay to live my life for Jesus. He is the reason I get up each day and the source of every goal I have. If what I do in this life is not for His glory, then my life will be wasted.
If you’re looking for a shortcut or the easy way to follow Jesus, you aren’t going to find it. The cost will be steep, and the road will be hard. Never forget it is Christ Himself who waits for you at the end of your journey, and it is He who will walk with you every step along the way. When the going gets rough, don’t look for an easier way. Remember the love God poured out for you when He sent His Son. Think about meeting Him face to face. Realize what you do each day matters for all eternity. No one gets a pass, so let’s all start doing the work and paying the price. Our reward awaits.