After so long, I finally have an opportunity to complete what I started with the previous blog post. To recap, the point I was making was that God was willing to consider us friends and give His life for us, so we should return the favor. How many times do we consciously live with the willingness to die for God as He did for us. Although that is a good intention, it is not what Jesus taught nor what we are commanded in the Scriptures.
Jesus did not die for us so that we would die for Him. Rather, Jesus led by example by coming to live for God and die for others. Likewise, we are to live for God and die for others. Although we are taught to be willing to die, the reason for that death is what God would challenge us with. Jesus said,
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matt. 5:43-48 (NRSV)
Therefore, the challenge presented to us is not whether we are willing to live and die for God, but whether we are willing to live for God and die for others. Verse upon verse upon verse we see this teaching supported throughout the scriptures. First, we can search for scriptures that talk about why Christ died and we will find that Christ died that we may live (Jn
In conclusion, Jesus’ lesson found in John 12 is a great illustration:
24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. (John 12:24-26)
May we be that seed in the hand of God willing to be sown and die for the sake of bearing fruit for the sower.
1 comments:
You're posts are good...very encouraging:)
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