Tags
Colossians 1:14-18, Colossians 1:9-14, Ephesians 2:8-10, Following Jesus, How can you serve God?, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Joshua 24:15, Matthew 1:21, Matthew 6:9-10, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:22-23, Using God or Serving God?, What's your service?
Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 02 Useful Or Love-Worthy???
While this may seem like a bit of a strange topic, the thing I want us to consider is our attitude towards God—not just our relationship with God—but our attitude toward The God Almighty of the universe. The God who loves us, who gave “His only begotten Son” for our sin, and yet who tells us clearly that our sin IS the issue, and HE clearly reminds us repeatedly that there is only One Way to be reconciled to HIM! Jesus! Yet our modern culture is more concerned with having a “useful” God, rather than loving The God who has provided for their redemption; to come to salvation by the substitutionary (Jesus took our place), atoning (paying for our sin so we won’t have to pay for it in hell) sacrifice ( the cost for this atonement—the death of The Sinless Son of God for sinful men, women, boys and girls who will accept His life for mine/yours!)!
If Jesus has paid for your sin, why would you not recognize how much we owe HIM—mostly our love, gratitude, and willingness to serve HIM instead of our own selves!
“For by grace are ye saved
through faith;
and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works,
lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus
unto good works,
which God hath before ordained
that we should walk
in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10
After all, our salvation is why Jesus came—to pay for sin—yours and mine.
“And she shall bring forth a son,
and thou shalt call his name JESUS:
for he shall save his people
from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
He came in selfless love; we must choose what our response will be. And while it’s my/your choice, there is a consequence to every choice, good or bad, so choose wisely!
“For all have sinned,
and come short
of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23
“But now being made free from sin,
and become servants to God,
ye have your fruit unto holiness,
and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death;
but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:22-23
What does your fruitfulness look like? All Paul talks about here is the end of God’s amazing grace toward us; and our “fruit” ought to give glory to God, not line our own pockets! Paul describes how our response ought to look in his letter to the Colossian believers. How are you and I responding to this amazing prayer? I often rehearse this prayer for myself, for others whom I love, for those who need to know Jesus, or just in general when I don’t know how else to pray.
“For this cause we also,
since the day we heard it,
do not cease to pray for you,
and to desire
that ye might be filled
with the knowledge of his will
in all wisdom
and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy
of the Lord
unto all pleasing,
being fruitful
in every good work,
and increasing
in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might,
according to his glorious power,
unto all patience
and longsuffering
with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father,
which hath made us meet
to be partakers of the inheritance
of the saints
in light:
13 Who hath delivered us
from the power of darkness,
and hath translated us
into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption
through his blood,
even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:9-14
Have you been forgiven? Let’s continue to read what Paul goes on to say; we will find that it is ALL about Jesus—from before the foundation of the world, to HIS eternal kingdom. What’s your focus? Getting from God or giving for HIS Kingdom?
“In whom we have redemption
through his blood,
even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created,
that are in heaven,
and that are in earth,
visible and invisible,
whether they be thrones,
or dominions,
or principalities,
or powers:
all things were created
by him,
and for him:
17 And he is before all things,
and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body,
the church:
who is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead;
that in all things
he might have the preeminence.” Colossians 1: 14-18
Who has “the preeminence” in your life? Jesus or someone or something else? (like ‘self’?). This is what we need to determine’ are we devoted to God’s will or our own? It’s as simple as what Jesus said:
“After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
in earth,
as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10
And in closing, a passage that I use again and again:
“…but as for me and my house,
we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15b
Use God or serve God? The choice is yours! Remember there is a test!
Amen and Amen!!!