Do you consider yourself a world changer? If you choose to follow Christ, that will be your mission. It doesn’t take much effort to realize our world is an absolute mess. Financial systems are crashing, morals are nonexistent, and violence is out of control. The message of Jesus is a cure for all that is wrong with society. It is the job of His people to take His good news to the furthest and darkest corners of our planet. If we impart the love of God to the masses, the peace of Christ will heal our nations. The only question is, are we up to the task?
Matthew
Selfishness
One of my favorite Christian authors is Calvin Miller. I’ve recently been reading his excellent little book entitled, “The Disciplined Life”. One of the things he said that really struck me was, “The difference between what God wants for us and what we ultimately become rests in how we break the thrall of those appetites that chain us to selfish lifestyles and selfish life goals.” My studies this past year have convinced me that selfishness is at the heart of all sin. Perhaps this is not a revelation to you and might even seem rather obvious. But how often do we look at our lives and consider ourselves selfish? Until we come to that realization, I submit we are all living in delusion.
Is This the Day?
As followers of Christ, there are a couple of things we all believe. We believe He lived, died, and rose again. We also believe He will return one day to redeem His followers. If you aren’t a believer, some of that can seem hard to swallow. But for those of us who have dedicated our lives to Jesus, these are the basic truths that are as comfortable as breathing to us. Perhaps that’s the problem. As breathing requires no conscious thought, neither does the life that so many of us claim to be living for Christ. We believe the right things, talk in the approved manner, and even attend the obligatory meetings. As living a Christian life has become second nature, we risk eternal salvation not only for ourselves but for everyone who has not yet come to Jesus (Matthew 7:21-23).
A Life Well Spent
What is most important to you? Is it Jesus or something less than that? Our lives will be spent in the pursuit of something. Some will pursue security, some comfort, and others fame. Anything we pursue other than Jesus will leave us hollow when we reach the end of our days. When you lie on your deathbed, what will you look back on and wish that you would have accomplished? While perhaps a bit morbid, this can be a very healthy exercise in which to engage. For what will you have needed to live in order to die with no regrets?
How Can I Know I’m Saved?
We are the raise your hands and say a prayer people, a generation of church-goers who believe their eternal destiny is secure because we once prayed a simple prayer. We bought in because it was easy. The teaching was perpetuated because it removed so much responsibility from our lives. But what does the Bible, and specifically Jesus, have to say about being saved from eternal damnation? If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know there is no mention of the so-called “sinner’s prayer” in Scripture. There are, however, very clear instructions as to what we must do to inherit eternal life.