“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”(Luke12:15)
An individual is not truly complete until he has felt the wonderful release of sin through repentance, had the name of Jesus Christ applied to his heart, and received the joyful gift of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul explained this completeness of life in his epistle to the church at Colosse: “And ye are complete in him” (Colossians 2:10).
Disregarding the varying circumstances of life and in spite of personal goals or objectives to be attained, each person has a responsibility to respond directly to the purpose and calling of God. How we live our lives is vitally important to someone besides ourselves, for God is watching and waiting for each one of us personally to invite Him into our heart. God desires to be a vital part of every human life.
LIFE IS WONDERFUL - LIVE IT
From nothing God created man. True, God did use dust to form mankind, but even this He alone created! Man did not become a “living soul,” however, until God breathed life into the nostrils of Adam. We must make no mistake about it; life is a God-given, God-breathed gift and capability. David the psalmist said, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). Life is wonderful and miraculous, and we are to live it in the fear and reverence of the Almighty. Without doubt, God is the creator of life, and as mysterious as life’s beginnings may be to man, the real question is not life itself, but the meaning of life and God’s purpose for creating man. In other words, man asks, “Why me, why here, and why now?”
God has placed a specific purpose and unique value on every facet of His creation. He did not speak a tree or an animal into existence accidentally or in a haphazard manner. Every created thing has a purpose and a reason for its existence, and man is no exception. In fact, mankind was created for the highest purpose of God. He molded man in His own hands and made him a living soul in His own image for the express purpose of having personal fellowship with Him. Man’s dominion and leadership over the rest of creation was secondary. God desired to have communion with the crown of His creation-mankind. God desired the love and devotion of one who could choose willingly to worship Him and fellowship in His presence.
There is nothing that can compare to life in Christ Jesus. No amount of possessions, wealth, or talent is able to take the place of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, it is completely possible to live without God and without any reference to or acknowledgment of His love or existence. Regrettably, millions of people live every day without the benefit of God’s guidance and leadership. However, it is the will of God that we know Him in a redemptive relationship. During His ministry, Jesus gave the clear purpose of His birth when He said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
Through the abundant life that Christ gives to us we are able to realize our true potential in Him. We can please the Lord and possess His peace, love, and joy. The responsibility is ours to seek the Lord until we find Him, and then to live our whole life in Him. In other words, to live with Jesus Christ is our chief priority. To choose to live life otherwise is to frustrate the will and purpose of God for us.
The passage of time has a way of changing every life. From early childhood, when every new discovery brings excitement and fascination, to the quiet solemnity of old age, the Spirit of God working in a life makes all the difference. The Spirit of God is the difference between a life lived without purpose or direction and accustomed to defeat and one that is victorious, alive in the Spirit, and victorious in spite of difficulties. Through the power of the Spirit we climb over every obstacle of life. Each phase of life offers new challenges and adventures in the Spirit, moving us toward spiritual maturity (I Corinthians 13:11).
The apostle Paul compared physical maturity to spiritual maturity. He knew that just as we grow physically we should mature spiritually. All phases of life should reflect an ever-changing process. Just as the human body matures with time, and its knowledge and understanding grow, the spiritual man should mature in the grace and knowledge of God In childhood certain immature levels of behavior are acceptable. However, the same immaturity displayed in an adult is inappropriate and considered childish. In a like manner, spiritual immaturity in an adult Christian is cause for concern and much prayer. The writer of the Book of Hebrews expressed just such a concern (Hebrews 5:12-13). We are to grow spiritually and increase our spiritual diet. The Word of God tells us that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled (Matthew 5:6).
LIFE IS TOUGH - ENDURE IT
If there is a certainty in life, it is that life is uncertain. Events and circumstances arise which test the courage, patience, and faith of even the most mature Christian. Life is full of little and big surprises. The smoothest of roads eventually develops a few troublesome potholes, and so it is with life. Bad things do happen to good people, and serious illness, severe financial loss, and difficult and painful family problems do occur in the lives of God’s people. But the Christian is not left to struggle and battle alone. God has promised to be an ever-present help in the time of trouble. God does not always choose to eliminate the tribulation and difficulty, but He has promised never to leave us alone. The presence of God brings peace and serenity in the midst of a personal storm.
The Holy Spirit is a gift that genuinely “keeps on giving.” While Satan is using every available trick to bring life’s worst floods against us in an effort to defeat and discourage us, the Spirit of the Lord is simultaneously constructing and raising a standard against every enemy attack. (Isaiah 59:19). God has generously provided us with effective weapons against every assault of the devil; with God we are assured of victory. God’s plan for man includes a unique beauty and perfection. For one thing, God has placed His Spirit and power in us as a “treasure in earthen vessels” (II Corinthians 4:7). Knowing even a born-again person is imperfect and incomplete, that he is destined to live only a relatively few days on earth and that his life may be full of trouble (Job 14:1), God still invests His love, grace, and Spirit in him.
The treasure of God’s Spirit allows His people to survive through every difficulty, every trial, and every temptation. Our lives become victorious testimonies to God’s power when His Spirit enables us to triumph in difficult situations and circumstances; the Holy Spirit helps the Christian to maintain his spiritual equilibrium regardless of difficulties.
Who is exempt from the troubles and woes of life? No one. Every life has its times of hurts, offenses, and resentments. But the child of God finds sufficient strength and grace to face these times. He experiences troubles, but he does not succumb to doubt about God’s love and presence. He does not become distracted from his walk with God. He resists mental conflicts that attempt to torment, grieve, or injure his spiritual relationship with God. When Paul wrote that we are not distressed, he assured us that the Holy Spirit is more than an adequate help to ward off any distress or injury that may affect our spirit because of life’s troubles. Such is the power of the great treasure of God’s Spirit.
Any person who has lived years for the Lord has experienced times when he found it difficult to understand why the road of life led through pain, suffering, and disappointment. He may find it hard to grasp the reason God has allowed him to endure a fiery trial. But when he turns to God, he discovers that God’s presence in his heart will not allow him to sink in despair. We may be confused and perplexed about these problems, but God’s Spirit will provide direction and insight and lead us faithfully through every valley experience.
To despair is to be discomfited, and it is not God’s will for His saints to be in such a state. A Christian may sometimes ask, “Why?” but he never gives up or loses his blessed hope in Christ Jesus. Without God’s help, a person would have to rely on his own abilities and intellect, but the most talented and wise person cannot by himself overcome the sinfulness of his own fallen nature. Alone, we are no match against our carnality or the wiles of the devil, but with God on our side we are a most formidable spiritual force that cannot be destroyed. Jesus revealed His power of eternal life when He answered the Jews who desired a sign of His claims. Jesus said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19).
We may at times appear to be defeated in a spiritual battle, but the Lord will give us the victory. We never need to fear being forsaken or destroyed as long as the Spirit of God resides in our lives. Through the Spirit, every child of God has power over troubles, trials, traumas, and tribulations.
LIFE IS PURPOSEFUL - FIND IT
Along with His protection and power, God has placed a special calling upon every Christian. Throughout His teachings, Jesus communicated a common thread of purpose for both the individual and the church. He intends for each life to reflect the message of Jesus Christ in its own unique way. We are empowered by His Spirit to be witnesses of Him, to reveal to others the good news of Jesus Christ.
Clearly, discovering and following the will of God can be challenging, demanding our devotion and dedication. As we pray, we must always be sensitive to the Spirit, for we are to be led by the Sprit. At times God may speak to us in a quiet manner in our spirit; at other times He may reveal a task for us through dreams, visions, prophetic utterances, preaching of the Word, or while we are reading the Word. We will know the voice of God, but His voice is always in harmony with His Word. Everyone is not called to be an evangelist, or a pastor. But everyone is called to be an instrument in fulfilling the purpose of God on earth.
Finding our place in God’s kingdom brings unsurpassed joy and peace. We sense peace with God and experience harmony with the church. David said, “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee” (Psalms 63:1). The word early in this verse could mean both early in life and early each day. We can find God’s will in our youth, but we will also need to seek Him for daily guidance. (Matthew 6:33). The Lord promises the seeker that he shall find, but He does not always indicate the specific time in which we will find the answer for which we seek. But we will find daily the guidance we need to do God’s will along with the courage and faith to accomplish His will.
When God’s purpose and plan is revealed to us, then we need to accomplish our calling to the best of our ability. Often the calling of God requires preparation and training, just as the apostles needed teaching and training before they were entrusted with the task of guiding the church after the Day of Pentecost. A person may need to be patient for God to open doors for him to fulfill his calling, but he must not become frustrated with God’s timing. A man’s gift and calling will make room for him, and others will come to see God’s hand upon his life (Proverbs 18:6).
In writing to the Corinthian church, Paul explained that every man has his proper gift from God, and that each man’s gift is different and unique in some manner (I Cor. 7:7). When God opens a door of opportunity, we may walk through it with boldness and confidence in the Lord, and we may accomplish the task the Lord has given us.
God does not want us to be reluctant to obey His will for our lives, for He desires us to joyfully proclaim Him and His salvation. Life is far too short to risk not fulfilling God’s perfect will in our lives. He has a plan for each of us. He has invested His Spirit in us, and He fully expects us to accomplish the spiritual labors and exploits that He has entrusted to us.
With Jesus Christ as an integral part of life, life becomes more than simply living. It is a great adventure in the Holy Spirit where His will is sought, found and fulfilled. How could we give less than our very best to the Savior, who has given so much to the world? God has given each of us life and a purpose for that life. Although many will refuse to know Him in the power of His Spirit or to understand His will for them, those who believe and obey Him rejoice in His salvation, which changes their lives, puts a song in their heart, and gives them a godly purpose. Jesus came that we might have life and that more abundantly. We can experience our potential in life as His Spirit guides us each day.
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