A LIFE LIVED BEYOND OURSELF!
A life lived in the presence and favor of God is a life with endless possibilities and opportunities! Because of the Spirit of Christ and the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, there is no excuse for not fulfilling God’s ordained purpose for our lives. What is God’s “will and purpose” for all mankind? IT IS THAT WE BE BORN-AGAIN THROUGH THE INDWELLING OF CHRIST AND BECOME AMBASSADORS FOR HIM TO RECONCILE THE WORLD TO GOD. “Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
We are “saved” to live in Christ’s righteousness and, through His Spirit, to live a life much larger than ourselves. We are “called” to not only live our lives for God, but to finish Christ’s work. It is our responsibility to the lost to deliver Christ’s message of deliverance from all sin and condemnation. In this time of darkness and great separation from God, the world must be shown the “way, the truth, and the life” that can be theirs through Jesus Christ. Ambassadors for Christ are absolutely necessary! “For ‘whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:13-14).
A child of God who can explain the mysteries of God and His awesome plans for man can save a “brand from the burning” and bring abundant and eternal life to the lost. “…Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Galatians 3:27).
The Spirit and truth of God within us will bring us into the needed knowledge of His laws of life, the path He has prepared for us, and glimpses of the future. Our God-directed life is a life where God works everything together for our good. He has given His children thousands of promises. Those promises are “yea and amen!” Christ’s indwelling Spirit brings an “inspired-life” capable of climbing the heights and walking into the depths of God’s wisdom, plans and purposes! “But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him” (Psalms 37:39-40).
A life planned and protected by God will bring His highest blessings. When we live life through the Spirit of Christ, we will have the river of God’s Spirit flowing through us to bless the world and enrich our lives to a measure the world cannot conceive! We can live a life, through the Spirit of God that extends far beyond ourselves, and touches many lives. The Spirit within us gives us comfort and hope, which we can give to others. The Spirit flowing through us will change life conditions and situations. Even as Christians, a life lived only for one’s self eventually brings stagnation and a limited vision of God’s will.It is best if we allow the river of life to flow through us to others. “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38).
The King James Version of the Bible says, “Without a vision the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18). We must have the revelation of God working in us so we can “see” through God’s eyes, understand His wisdom, and “work” according to His plans. Only those born of the Spirit of Christ can receive the gifts of the Spirit (wisdom, knowledge, and understanding). The Spirit provides everything we need to live a Godly and fruitful life. We must move and have our being in God, and He will work His work through us. If we obey Him, we will hear God say unto us: “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord’’ (Matthew 25:21).
WE ARE NOT SAVED TO LIVE ONLY FOR OURSELVES! “And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15). We fail to live up to our call and the reason for our re-creation in Christ, if our life is not totally given to Christ for his purposes and plans. There is no use in praying, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” if we are unwilling to share Christ’s “work” of reconciliation. God has a work and a purpose for every one of his children!!! “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18).
God the Father through Jesus Christ is reconciling the world to Himself. The call on our lives comes first through the Spirit of God drawing us to Christ. Next, we give ourselves by our own free will to Christ to be used by Him for His purposes. We must be willing to lose our life for His sake. This transfer of ourselves to God is sealed by the Holy Spirit. Then, his Spirit within us says: “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”(Galatians 4:6). After our re-birth we begin to truly understand the things that are given to us by God, and his word comes alive!
This morning, I awakened with a cry to God, “Give me a life beyond myself!!” I felt a deep longing for God to reveal His plans and spiritual work for the future. I want to move into the greater depths of the “great river of the Spirit of God” that dwells within me. Sometimes we become satisfied with just living for ourselves. I can see that there is much to be done for God’s kingdom on earth. I do not want to waste time through complacency. We have to desire to move beyond “living a Godly life for self” into giving our lives to be used by God for others. As I prayed, God confirmed the need to press in to God’s future plans. The Holy Spirit began to quicken a thought taken from scripture, “that those who live should live no longer for themselves.” This lesson was born out of those thoughts and prayers.
I suddenly knew I had not sought God for my next assignment. Just the thought of asking God for His next plans for my life, raised my expectations and faith that something exciting is about to happen. There is nothing more boring than a self-centered-life. I know that when the Spirit stirs within us and gives us a desire to seek God for His “will and plans,” He has something new He wants us to do. After earnestly seeking God’s plans and desires, God’s answer will not be long in coming. The next step is the revelation of His will to our “will and Spirit.” “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
There are lives that need the “Good news of the Gospel of Christ,” and there are prayers that must be prayed to save the lost. Our nation critically needs a new infusion of the Holy Spirit reviving and giving new life. There is work that must be done for Christ’s kingdom. It is when we cry out with our whole being to be used of God that God begins to move.
The prelude to God’s next step for each of us is always “a deep desire to be used by God and intercessory prayer.” If we lack the desire to be used of God, then we must begin to cry out for a burden to do His work. We are “saved to serve!” God’s kingdom is built upon prayer, faith in Christ, and a desire to reconcile the world to God. It is easy to become complacent, but God is faithful and He wills for us to be about “His” business. “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18).
Let us pray: Dearest Father, I come in the name of Jesus Christ. Lord, empty me of complacency. I do not want to leave Your work undone or fail to fulfill Your will for my life. Open my eyes and ears to the voice of Your Spirit. Give me a heart totally given to You. Prepare my heart and mind to move into whatever work You have purposed for me. Increase my awareness of the spiritual and temporal needs around me. Increase my love for You and others. Help me to love others better than myself. Our world is filled with darkness and corruption. You hold everything in Your hands. You know where I can be used for the building and glory of Your kingdom. I am Yours, and I want to do Your will and live out Your “plans” for my life. Give me a heart for the lost and needy. I will answer Your call to service with a heart of thankfulness and joy because of Your mercy and goodness. I have the greatest treasure in the whole world—“Christ in me, the hope of glory!” Thank You.
Amen.