Living for God
A few months ago came I across this quote from Jonathan Edwards:
“Resolution 1: I will live for God. Resolution 2: If no one else does, I still will.”
Since that time I have been pondering these simple yet profound resolutions as I look to apply them to my own life during this unique season. The difficulty comes in the reality of what it means to live for God? To live for God, inherently means two things, 1) I give up the right to live for myself, and 2) I am now under the authority of someone else.
The Apostle Paul put it this way in his letter to the Galatians, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Living for God is directly opposed to the self-absorbed, self-seeking, and self-righteous culture in which we live. As I listen to the rhetoric from all forms of media, no longer is there any room for messages of self-sacrifice for the sake of others, rather the cry is, “give me what I want or I will take it by force”, on both sides of the argument. We see the other as the enemy, rather than the “image-of-God” bearing person that they are. The license that we give ourselves to treat others with contempt has only been elevated due to the heightened social, political and crisis climate we currently find ourselves.
Unfortunately, many have been deceived to think that this is the way we change the world around us. This is, however, diametrically opposed to both the message and methods of Jesus.
Matthew 26:52, Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
Regardless of what you believe about Jesus, the truth is that his investment in a small group of individuals, and the sacrificial self-giving love that he demonstrated by giving his life for others, changed the world forever. It was a revolution, but it come not through taking life, but laying down one’s own life for others.
If there was a more effective way to change the world and turn people back to God then Jesus would have done it.
You want to change culture, you don’t do it by shouting louder than the guy next door. You change culture one person at a time, in relationship. For centuries the church has called it discipleship. Giving up your life for others through sacrificial self-giving love, and building relational influence so that you have the right to lead people to the truth of God’s word. It starts with our own hearts and attitudes, and then flows into those areas we have the privilege of influencing.
If you want to change the world start living for Jesus. Even when no one else will.
Kyle Bostock is executive pastor at North Summit Church, 201 N. Division Ave., Sandpoint. He can be reached at 208-263-4818.