It’s clear that we don’t live to honor ourselves, and we don’t die to honor ourselves. If we live, we honor the Lord, and if we die, we honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
Romans 14:7-8 GW
Our priorities guide our lives. Therefore, it’s a good idea to be conscious of your priorities. If you don’t know what your priorities should be, look to God’s Word for the authoritative answer on what’s best for everyone.
God made it simple. He says that He should be our highest priority. That makes sense since He’s God and He has all power and authority in Heaven and Earth. He’s the One this whole thing is about. As a friend of mine once said, “God’s world, God’s rules.”
If you miss it on the most basic and fundamental truth of life, everything else will be off track. We each will have to answer to God for what we did with the life He’s given us. Did we spend it faithfully obeying God’s instructions day by day? Or did we forget our purpose and waste our lives pursuing idolatry? Idolatry is the worship of things other than the one, true God.
For me, God is what life is all about. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”
Jesus is the way to the Father. Believe in Him and enter into eternal life. Jesus is the Truth. In Him, there is no lie. Everything He tells you is true. He cannot lie. Jesus is the source of life. He created us, saves us, sustains us and perfects us in His love. It’s all about Jesus. Let’s not forget that.
My purpose in life is to know and walk with God. That’s what I’m called by God to do. My life is meant to conform to God’s will. If I were to guess, that’s God’s will for your life, too. Unfortunately, some people are created for honor and some for dishonor. That means some people are good examples and others are cautionary tales. Where does our free will and God’s sovereignty intersect? That’s a question for God to answer. It’s beyond my understanding.
I can’t make anyone do anything. All I can do is share the truth in a loving, gentle and respectful way. I can pray for people, asking for God’s best in their lives. I can encourage people to keep the faith, keep going when the going gets tough. But ultimately, we each answer to God for what we have control over, ourselves.
It’s been said that the only thing we have control over is our attitude and our effort. And if you live long enough, you’ll discover our bodies and our minds will fail us. Therefore, stewarding our attitudes should be our primary concern. And God’s Word says the same thing. Be loving.
People will know we are disciples by our love for one another. The disciple is not greater than the teacher. It is enough to be just like the teacher. God is perfecting us in His love. He is the author and finisher of our faith.
Ask yourself, how am I doing at loving today? Am I loving God above all else? Am I loving my neighbor as myself? Is my love prompting tangible action? Faith without works is dead. Works without love is religion. Religion without love is legalism. And legalism kills.
Turn the corner. Turn the page. Return to the love of God. Let the love of God take residence in your heart. If you love God and love people, you’ll be amazed at the miracle that daily life becomes.
Be blessed in the Beloved. Amen.
Igniter Ministries 