I know two men whose lives are very distinct! One is 'successful,' using the measures most people apply to the term. He commands hundreds, controls great wealth, and has a degree from a prestigious university. Personally, he is a disaster. He has a failed marriage, is a stranger to his kids, and lives with high levels of anxiety that he 'manages' with liberal quantities of alcohol. He does share his wealth - in large public gifts to various organizations that feed his need for recognition. The other man has few symbols of success. His education is from a small unknown school, he makes a working man's living, and lives an unassuming life. He is beloved by his family, respected by his friends, and sleeps peacefully every night. He gives of himself and his resources mostly in ways that escape notice, even of those with whom he shares!
So, I ask you: which one is really successful? Please do not leap to the false conclusion that I am saying that having an Ivy League education, great wealth, or a powerful position is sinful! Too often a simplistic reading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ leads people to the conclusion that spirituality requires poverty. What is true is that knowing God requires a humble heart, being 'poor in spirit' - something that is often lost to those who enjoy the perks of success! That is why Jesus declared, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Mark 10:25, NKJV) A man who is full of himself has no room for the Spirit of God.
The core difference between the two men I referred to a moment ago is who they serve! The first serves himself and is upfront about it. He claims to be an agnostic and believes that 'you have to grab the gold ring now, for there is nothing later!' Up to this point in life, he has been quite adept at making life mostly work in his favor. The second serves Christ Jesus. From an early adulthood he has, with a detour here and there, followed the way of discipleship with the goal of doing what he believes God wants him to do. One claims to be the king of his own life; the other lives in the Kingdom of God.
The crucified life, the way of the Cross, is not much sought because the end result is often forgotten. God is not a sadistic deity who delights in seeing us writhe in agony, but He does want our complete loyalty, our utter dependence, our unquestioning obedience. Thus, He calls on us to 'die to Self.' The Cross releases us from Self and allows a new life in the Spirit to emerge. "Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was." (Romans 6:5, NLT)
Would you be truly successful, filled with goodness, and God-honoring? Ponder these words and ask the Spirit to make the meaning clear.
"I have been crucified with Christ; 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 for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, (keeping a moral code) then Christ died in vain." (Galatians 2:20-21, NKJV)
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives." (Galatians 5:24-25, NLT)
"As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God." (Galatians 6:14-16, NLT)
______________________
All hail the power of Jesus’ Name! Let angels prostrate fall;
B ring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.
Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget the wormwood and the gall,
Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all.
Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all.
O that, with yonder sacred throng, we at His feet may fall,
Join in the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all,
Join in the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all!
Edward Peronnet - public domain
No comments:
Post a Comment