Live for Christ Today

2 Corinthians 5:15 NKJV

15 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.

Who are you living for?

A good many people these days don’t really have an answer to this question

Some people would say they are living for their children

It used to be common for couples to stay together even when they thought of separating for the sake of their children

not so much these days - as Self serving has taken root

Even longer - it was popular for people to stay together for the sake of their reputation - it was unacceptable to divorce

again - not so much these days as commitment and character have taken a back seat to convenience and satisfaction

Some people live for the family, or those who depend on them

Others live for their careers - especially those in ministry, or caring for others

And a good many people, especially these day, live for their selves

there was a time when such a statement would seem unacceptable and selfish - but now, it is actually the norm, even common advice

whole sermon series and doctrines built around “you have to love yourself”

Its often preached you cannot love others if you don’t first love yourself -

The bible says no such thing!

In Luke 14:26,33 Jesus says if we are not willing to forsake all that we have, and even your own life also, you cannot be His disciple

Many false preachers will try to re-write that for the sake of popularity - but til heaven and earth pass, not one jot shall fail...

The problem with all these things is that they will all let you down - they will disappoint you

you will not be able to live to their expectations, nor they yours

this is true even of yourself

And so many people, when these things fail, feel they have nothing to live for

or they don’t know what they live for

Many people live their lives just drifting - without definite purpose or confidence

The Bible tells us to Live for HIM!

the one who died for us and rose again

we are no longer strangers - but are joint heirs with HIM

He died for us - in our place -

He set an example of Life for us

And He rose again from the dead and lives forevermore

we should Live for Him, and live forevermore with Him

What does life living for Him look like?

Look to Jesus Today

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith …” (Heb. 12:2).

Many Christians look to doctors, lawyers, ministers, or friends more than they look to Christ; they find disappointment.

I am thankful for the medical and other professionals but...

so often, the people I meet and minister to, it seems the more treatment they receive the more treatment they need

Chronic sickness almost never ends apart from divine intervention

but divine intervention does occur

this is true of medicine, psychiatry and so many other areas I have observed

Without criticizing these wonderful caregivers - we should Look to Jesus First, and continuously

While help from others should be appreciated, real and lasting help can come only from the Lord. “Therefore I will look unto the Lord” (Micah 7:7).

Micah 7:7 NKJV

7 Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me.

Learn from HIM Today

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Col. 3:16).

Some Christians neglect the Word of God. They are too involved with personal pursuits.

If we are to live for Christ today, we must read and meditate on his Word, which teaches us how to live victoriously over sin, self, and Satan (see Rom. 15:4).

I have trouble understanding how so many people can claim to be Christians, yet have no interest in His Word, or His Church

that too has become very popular these days

so many people claim to be Christians, yet make up their own Christianity

a Christianity based on their own feelings, their own emotions, and pop culture, but not the Word of God

they claim to know what God would or would not like or accept based solely on what they think is right, or what their friends think

yet they reject the church, and the bible as the standard - and have no real basis for their own standard

while they may call themselves living for Christ, if their “Christ” is a product of their own invention, then they are really living for self

He invites us to learn from Him

the Word of God is alive and powerful

the Word of God will never fail

Lean on Jesus Today

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Prov. 3:5).

Christians fail when they lean on their own power, position, or possessions.

We should use all these things, and often, but our confidence must be in HIM

In fact, how we use these things often shows where our confidence is (James 2)

A good many people will preach of a faith that tells the needy to “believe” until their need is met

While others will meet the need, even when it beyond their own means, trusting by faith that God will supply

We must trust in The Lord today. He enables us to accomplish our tasks and bear our responsibilities. “And the LORD shall help them” (Ps. 37:40).

Psalm 37:40 NKJV

40 And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.

Work with Jesus Today

“We then, as workers together with him …” (2 Cor. 6:1).

When it comes to doing God’s work, many Christians give up because of a lack of cooperation from others.

We are not alone. Christ is with us, beside us, and within us.

He will enable us to assist the less fortunate, comfort the sick and lonely, and witness to the unsaved about Christ (Phil. 4:13).

We can do all things through Him!

We are therefore ambassadors for HIM - we must go tot he work also, as Joint laborers

Christianity is not a spectator sport

Love Like Jesus Today

“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us” (Eph. 5:2).

Jesus loved us so much he died on the cross, taking our place. We must love God and others also (If God loved us...1 John 4:11).

Jesus said “A new commandment I give you — love each other “as I have loved You”

To live for Jesus today we should:

look to him,

learn from him,

lean on him,

work with him,

And love Like Him