“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” March 19, 2019
What is the point of life? That is a question many people ask during their lifetime at least once. There are various answers but only one answer that is true and brings satisfaction to the one who will accept it. Apostle Paul’s inspired writing explains it best since it is God who is speaking through him.
“One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind…7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:5, 7-12, NKJV emphasis added)
The point of life is to live for God rather than for self. There is no doubt this answer is certainly unsatisfactory and unacceptable to the majority of people in the world. Those who reject this truth will offer other answers to the point of life and why they are here on this earth. The issue is those answers do not cause them to be satisfied, content, happy, or prevent them from becoming hopeless. Turning to faith in the living God is the only place a person will find the satisfaction, peace, and joy everyone is so desperately searching for in their life.
The mistake the children of God have made in their witnessing attempts is to think they can argue people into the kingdom of God. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is illogical to the sinful mind and unbelievable to the corrupt human heart. The only true way to reveal and witness to people is identified by Jesus when the disciples of John the Baptist came to question Him on behalf of John to ask if He truly was the Messiah sent by God. Jesus did not say yes or no, but told them, “22 …“Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me” (Luke 7:22-23, NKJV).
The truth of who Christ is and His lordship over all things is revealed in the obedience of the children of God in how they live make choices, treat others, and how they have possess strength, hope, and joy in spite of the trials and hardships of life. This is the greatest witness to the reality of the presence of God living in His people. Jesus’ life was far from easy; He encountered continual strife and conflict. Yet, He overcame all of them by simply doing the will of God the Father. Obey God by taking on His character and acknowledge your need of His help (John 15:5-8), putting on the armor of God daily (Ephesians 6:14-18), and submitting to His will over your own desires (Romans 12:1-3).
Praying beyond the physical: Father, help me to see what You are doing so I can follow Your lead throughout this day. Jesus, reveal to me how I can live for the Father through the circumstances of this day as You did on earth. Spirit, manifest Your presence and power through me by helping me deny myself and submit to the Father. Pastor Tom