Submitted by David
Miller
Many Christians today seem content to live what they think is an adequate Christian life. They believe if they go to church, read their Bibles from time to time, and say their prayers once in a while, they will be all right with God. Occasionally, they may be inspired to go above and beyond their normal routines and volunteer to serve others as ushers, members of a church committee, or even travel on a short-term mission trip. Though they go through the motions of being a “good Christian,” they do not enjoy the power, peace, and joy that should come with the abundant life Jesus promised us in John 10:10 which reads: 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and [a]have it abundantly. Eventually, the counterfeit Christian life they're living becomes a burden and does not comfort them when the storms of adversity rise up.
God desires to have a daily relationship with you where you
experience His presence and trust Him for wisdom, courage, and strength in all
situations. God does not call you or any
believer to a marginal Christian life characterized by chores and rituals. He
desires to have a daily relationship with you where you experience His presence
and trust Him for wisdom, courage, and strength in all situations. With every
step you take, decision you make, conversation you have, and thought you
entertain, the Lord wants to glorify Himself through you. He desires to shine
in your life; with His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control illuminating your unique talents, traits, and
personality as you walk in obedience to Him.
In other words, to live the Christian life is to allow Jesus
to live in and through you. That is why Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who
live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live
by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” Galatians:
2:20.
He has a special purpose for your life, and the most
important thing you can ever do is simply obey Him—no matter what He tells you
to do. God will allow situations and troubles in your life that only He can
solve. This is so He can demonstrate His glory, power, love, and wisdom through
you. With every step you take, decision
you make, conversation you have, and thought you entertain, the Lord wants to
glorify Himself through you.
The issue is not your salvation but the impact of your life
for Christ. God does not call you to an
adequate life. He wants it to be
extraordinary. However, for you to experience the life He planned for you, you
must stop being distracted by other issues and focus your attention completely
on Him.
The God who redeems you can teach you how to live for Him.
The Savior you trusted for your eternity is more than capable of taking care of
all the matters that burden you and shine through you so brightly that others
can come to know Him. Die to your notions of what the Christian life should be
so you can experience true life in Him.
Let
your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (NASB)
