Thoughts to Ponder

Most of us go about life doing normal things: work, socailizing, hobbies, chores, etc. As believers in Chirst, we, too, do these normal, routine things. We engage in extra-curicular activities (and encourage our kids to do the same).

But as believers in Christ, what is it that makes our life any different from those who do not believe in Christ? Surely, it is not simply a belief. For if any belief does not affect our lives, then what kind of belief do we really have in it? In our case, we claim to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. What exactly does that mean?

I'm sure it means different things to differnt people, but I'm also sure that it can only really mean ONE THING.

If Jesus really is the Son of God, then He is Lord. He is Master. He is in charge. And when the One in charge calls you to do something, you do it; don't you? For failure to do so has consequences just as obedience has consequences.

My point is that we go about our daily lives in obscurity-- pursing our duties, obeying the law, and waiting for the coming of the Messiah. The problem with this is He's already come! He has come and He has called the earth to follow Him. Faith and following can no longer mean sitting and waiting--we must rise and follow.

Believers cannot simply live out a quiet life and wait for Jesus' return. He has given us tasks to complete: namely, to go into all the world making Him known and making disciples for Him.
Use an example from Matthew 4: 18-20; the calling of Peter and Andrew. Jesus called them to follow Him. They responded by immediately leaving the life they knew.

Had they not left, Jesus would probably still have impacted their lives. He was, afer all, the Messiah. They could pursue thier lives, their careers, and even be devout Messianic Jewish men. They could still listen to, and someday read about Jesus. He could be thier teacher, their Savior, even thier present help in times of trouble. But He would not be their Lord in the truest sense of the word. They had refused to follow. It was through their following that they came to know Him.

To follow a lord is to surrender one's life to that person and to his service. When the lord calls, a servant must respond in obedience. So, Peter and Andrew left their nets and followed. And because they did this, a new situation was created. A situation where they became totally dependant on Jesus for their lives, their needs, their daily bread, etc. This new situation allowed them to learn to believe in Jesus as the Son of God. This belief would not have been possible had they not left everything and followed.

A person cannot really learn how to believe in God unless he is willing to follow God everywhere, anywhere, and at any time.

Have I left my life to follow Jesus? Have you? I chose to believe in Him. I made a decision to follow Him. But do I really follow?

Our time is divide between obligations (work, school, family) and desires (the things I want to do: watch tv, play my guitar, video games, extra-curricular activities, etc). I have little time left over for anything else. The thing is, these are my obligations, my desires. See the problem? What does following Jesus have to do with any of these?

Some will say, that's just life! We live it as best we can trying to do what Jesus would have us do in each of these situations. And while that may be true, that dodges the whole question. The real issue is that I (we) devote our lives to careers, interests, and activities that we feel are important. When was the last time we sat down to make a list of all we do and then prayed over that list asking God which things are really of eternal significance?

Who are we really living for?

And now that you know, what do you plan on doing about it? Cause you have to have a plan!

More later!