by David Brenneman
"Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction." Philippians 4:1-14.
A life in Christ must be more than words on a page. The life in Christ must be in action and activity as much as it is in thought and intention.
Those who's names are written in the Book of Life ought to live differently than those who are not.
There is nothing about living in Christ that's a shared custody deal between us and the world. There is nothing that ought to be dethroning Jesus from being the center of our world.
To deny ourselves and to take up our own cross and follow Him is way more than words on a page...at least it's supposed to be.
A life lived in Christ should likewise be more than the persons name written in the Lamb's book of Life as well.
If it's important by Godly standards then by God it should be important by our standards if we truly meant it in saying "I have decided to follow Jesus!" For those who know that grand old hymn "No turning back, no turning back" follows that line.
"I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back; no turning back.
If no one joins me, still I will follow;
If no one joins me, still I will follow;
If no one joins me, still I will follow;
No turning back; no turning back.
The cross before me, the world behind me;
The cross before me, the world behind me;
The cross before me, the world behind me;
No turning back, no turning back.." -Simon Marak
When someone comes to Christ just as they are...gratefulness ought to envelop them for all that Jesus did for them.
At one point even the disciples came to Jesus and said they left everything to come follow Him.
Everything meant everything and still does today. Not that this means giving away or selling or throwing away everything a Believer owns. It's putting those things in a correct Godly perspective. All of it now belongs to God in Christ Jesus. If prompted by the Spirit of God it may mean letting go of things, thoughts and feelings regarding stuff or a way of life.
This is where trusting in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight comes in.
While there's a great many things and thoughts that can bring me worldly joy and happiness it doesn't immediately follow that God wants those things in my life.
Just as well...just because you think you can obtain doesn't immediately follow that you should.
A life in Christ must be more than the words we spoke in a heartfelt prayer to Jesus.
It should be as well what also was written "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:23-25.
Jesus said to His disciples as well as all who say they are followers of Jesus "set your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world".
A good reason is you will be so involved that you will miss the hand of God in your life. You will miss the hand of God in the world. You will miss opportunities to point people to Jesus. We are only here after coming to Christ in order to grow in Christ and point people to Jesus...awaiting either our home-going or His return. As Ambassadors for Christ we have no off-days or off-season from being a Disciple, a fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
You and I aren't saved so that we can indulge in the world without cost. Our salvation cost Jesus everything. The value of that price tag should always be before us.
The names of the saved in the Lamb's book of Life...are written in the blood of Jesus. The warnings to Noah after the Great Flood were to never eat any flesh with the blood still in it for the life is in the blood. The Book of Life is alive with the blood of Jesus.
Being close to Believer's but never deciding to give your life to Christ will never get it written in that book.
Living a "good" life will never get it written in that book.
Talking like a "good" person will not get it written in the book.
The one who writes in that book is only the Spirit of God. He testifies with our spirit after we come to Christ for salvation that indeed we are Children of God.
More than Words on a Page.
An obituary is words on a page that are often long forgotten. The Words of Jesus Christ will never be forgotten. Throughout eternity those permanently separated from Jesus will have a perfect memory of their choice to refuse the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. They will know the words of Jesus forever spoken to them.
To become an athlete you must go beyond words to fulfill that.
To become a soldier you must go beyond words to fulfill that.
To become a doctor, a technician, a public servant, you must move beyond words.
A life in Christ must be more than our saying so and move into the doing.
Time in prayer not just because of need but of desire to meet Jesus there.
Time in the Word of God not just because even the Bible saying you should to your being in the Word of God because you want to know more about Jesus.
Living a life that says "Jesus is here" rather than a life that hides it except for moments in a church building.
Take up our own cross and follow Him wasn't a suggestion. So what that we let go of plans of things of this or that in order to grow in Christ. Everything we know from our past as well as the present and future will pass away. What we get in our relationship with Jesus lasts forever.
Make your life more than words on a page. Live it the way Jesus wants of you.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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