All For the Glory of God
"Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life (John 9:3)."
By nature, we are all selfish. We want things instantly. We don't want to wait. We want our own way and when we don't get it, we get frustrated. But God has called us who are His to live differently. He created us for Himself and for His glory. To live like this, we must die to ourselves; we must die to our selfish desires and our way of doing things. This. Is. Hard. We fight not only against our flesh, but also against the world and satan. To fight on your own is impossible-it simply cannot be done. The only way to live an unselfish life giving God the glory is to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit.
When God first called you out of darkness and into His light, He immediately filled you with His Spirit. No one can change that. No one can take His Spirit from you and the Lord promises that you are His forever. "My Father who has given them to me is greater than all, no one can snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and the Father are one (John 10:29-30)." But you and I must daily choose to walk in Him. We must daily choose to die to our will and submit to His will. If you and I are focused on ourselves, we can never be of any benefit to the kingdom. We will get wrapped up in all the cares of this world and have nothing left to give. God chose you in Him before the foundation of the world. He chose you to be a light in this dark world and to share His message of hope and salvation with those who don't know Christ. We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day Jesus comes, but we must choose to be continually filled with His presence and walk in Him.
"But when God, who set me apart from birth, and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles (Galatians 1:15-16)."
"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:12-13)."
"All things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17)."
Friend, our purpose while here on earth is to give glory to our Father-in our relationships, in our homes, in our workplaces, at the ballfield, at the store or wherever-our goal is living for the Lord Jesus. God chose us to bear fruit-fruit that will last. In order for us to bear fruit we must remain or abide in Christ. In other words, we are to depend on Him for grace and power to obey and look to His word for instruction, letting it flood our heart and mind so that we live out our faith. Jesus is the source and sustainer of our life, without Him, we can do nothing-or anything of value to the kingdom.
Jesus is the true vine and God is the gardener. God will prune every branch that does not bear fruit so that it will be more fruitful (John 15:1-2)." What does that look like? This can come in many forms. It could be loss of material possessions, sickness, hardships or difficult relationship. Whatever method God chooses, He is doing it in order to get our focus stayed on Him and develop us to bear more fruit-to become more Christ-like. He does this because He loves us. "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline, God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and no true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:5-11)."
Christ alone is the reason we live! He is our hope. Because of Him, we can face anything and know with certainty that no matter what, it is going to be okay. No matter what trials, sadness, sickness or loss we have while on earth, nothing can compare to the glory that will be revealed one day! He is the Alpha and the Omega-the beginning and the end. He is the author and perfecter of our faith. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. "To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you blameless before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy-to the only God our Savior, be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forever more! Amen (Jude 1:25)."
By nature, we are all selfish. We want things instantly. We don't want to wait. We want our own way and when we don't get it, we get frustrated. But God has called us who are His to live differently. He created us for Himself and for His glory. To live like this, we must die to ourselves; we must die to our selfish desires and our way of doing things. This. Is. Hard. We fight not only against our flesh, but also against the world and satan. To fight on your own is impossible-it simply cannot be done. The only way to live an unselfish life giving God the glory is to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit.
When God first called you out of darkness and into His light, He immediately filled you with His Spirit. No one can change that. No one can take His Spirit from you and the Lord promises that you are His forever. "My Father who has given them to me is greater than all, no one can snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and the Father are one (John 10:29-30)." But you and I must daily choose to walk in Him. We must daily choose to die to our will and submit to His will. If you and I are focused on ourselves, we can never be of any benefit to the kingdom. We will get wrapped up in all the cares of this world and have nothing left to give. God chose you in Him before the foundation of the world. He chose you to be a light in this dark world and to share His message of hope and salvation with those who don't know Christ. We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day Jesus comes, but we must choose to be continually filled with His presence and walk in Him.
"But when God, who set me apart from birth, and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles (Galatians 1:15-16)."
"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:12-13)."
"All things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17)."
Friend, our purpose while here on earth is to give glory to our Father-in our relationships, in our homes, in our workplaces, at the ballfield, at the store or wherever-our goal is living for the Lord Jesus. God chose us to bear fruit-fruit that will last. In order for us to bear fruit we must remain or abide in Christ. In other words, we are to depend on Him for grace and power to obey and look to His word for instruction, letting it flood our heart and mind so that we live out our faith. Jesus is the source and sustainer of our life, without Him, we can do nothing-or anything of value to the kingdom.
Jesus is the true vine and God is the gardener. God will prune every branch that does not bear fruit so that it will be more fruitful (John 15:1-2)." What does that look like? This can come in many forms. It could be loss of material possessions, sickness, hardships or difficult relationship. Whatever method God chooses, He is doing it in order to get our focus stayed on Him and develop us to bear more fruit-to become more Christ-like. He does this because He loves us. "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline, God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and no true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:5-11)."
Christ alone is the reason we live! He is our hope. Because of Him, we can face anything and know with certainty that no matter what, it is going to be okay. No matter what trials, sadness, sickness or loss we have while on earth, nothing can compare to the glory that will be revealed one day! He is the Alpha and the Omega-the beginning and the end. He is the author and perfecter of our faith. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. "To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you blameless before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy-to the only God our Savior, be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forever more! Amen (Jude 1:25)."
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