Tuesday, May 25 2010
"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." - John 12:24
The goal of the Christian life is death, not success. A popular teaching says that if we follow God, we will prosper materially. God may, in fact, bless His people materially, but few can make this claim among third-world countries. Wealth must never be the goal of a person's life, only a by-product.
A missionary to a Middle-Eastern country has shared a motto among their ministry team: "God does not require success, but radical, immediate obedience." Jesus' obedience gained Him the cross. It did not gain Him popularity among the heathen, the religious or financial success, or a life of pleasure. His obedience resulted in His death on the cross. This is the same goal Christ has for each of us--death of our old nature so that He might live through us. That may not sell well among outcome-based Christian workplace believers, but it will result in an eternal reward that far exceeds any earthly reward. "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done" (Rev. 22:12).
The Christian life is a paradox--the first will be last, death in return for life, and we are encouraged to offer praise to God to overcome a spirit of heaviness. It requires faith in a God who operates from a different set of values that are sometimes difficult to measure from human standards. Let death work in you a life that only God can raise up.
1 comment:
Came across your blog today and liked it. will subscribe to get by email. I was born a Catholic Christian, attended parochial high school and Catholic college. Studied Latin (I highly recommend for today's undisciplined students)
and though I was not very proficient in the language, comes in handy looking up etymology of words.
I might recommend my Christian brothers and sisters to consider that one must offer the fruit of ones activities to God; to ask nothing of the Lord in prayer, no favours or petitions; ask nothing but, "Thy will be done."
I suppose true Christians do this anyway, as you mention in your blog, one should not expect monetary or worldly success for ones pious activities.
Also, consider that eating meat causes not only ill physical health & mental instability but also impious reactions. Not only is the animal tortured and killed but also the lower animal visciousness in man is encouraged by animal slaughter. This leads to war and civil disruption of the social fabric of mankind. Did Jesus not teach, "Thou shall not kill"? Did he not teach, "What you do to the least of these, you do unto me"?
I like your blog and please forgive my wordiness in this comment.
I plan to read your blog further. God bless, Bruce...
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