[398 words]
Most days, “ living” is a challenge. We have many responsibilities and challenges that compete with our relationship with God. We are raising a generation that has no real religious concern or eternal focus. As a society, our current generation continues to drift from the Creator! The world around us seems put us in survival mode everyday.
Christians can live a fruitful, meaningful life! We can live a full, Christian life provided we are in a right relationship with God. We can do more than survive. We can live decisively, live abundantly, and live eternally as long as we live obediently.
We can live decisively if we make the decision to put God first! Matthew 6:24 says, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” True success is based on and a result of putting God first—-this is the only kind of foundation that can weather the storms of life without doubt.
We can live abundantly once we understand why Jesus came to earth. John 10:10-11 says, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” Jesus came to supply all of our needs (Isaiah 40:11). Christ died so we may have life and teach others about His sacrifice.
We can live eternally once we focus on the home that awaits us! John 14:2 says, “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” When we want to quit, we should remember why we started! Working & toiling can be difficult sometimes but we must not lose focus on why we changed our life and chose to become a Christian! Quitting is not an option for Christians.
Christians can live and not just survive but we must be obedient! Being obedient is hearing God’s Word (Romans 10:17), believing God’s Word (Hebrews 11:6), repenting of sins (Acts 17:30), confessing Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 16:16), being baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:15-16), and remaining faithful (Revelation 2:10). Don’t let living in this world separate you from God!
Allen Jones
S. Green St. church of Christ
Glasgow, KY