WHO ARE YOU LIVING FOR?

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.—C.T Studd

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

During the Christmas season we can see who some people are living for in the way they respond to kind gestures, gifts, and time they spend with loved ones. A simple thank you for the help provided with a Christmas Party, a word of gratitude for the “unwanted” present, and a few extra minutes spent with the family get together; all magnifies the purposes of one’s heart. Is it for them self or is it for others?

Christian friend, the way you respond when Jesus came as a babe in a manger, how you respond to the gift He gave us when He got up on the Cross, and the amount of time we spend with Him displays what our motives are.

Do you love Him? Do you serve Him? Do you know Him? Who are you living for?

WHO IS THIS BABE IN THE MANGER?

In Jesus I see the picture of the kind of man I know I ought to be. -Brown

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

In this one verse see a beautiful picture of our Saviour; pictures of leadership, honor, humility, service, strength, and sacrifice to name a few. How does this all play factor in our life? In every way Jesus is described we ought to strive to be the same. As we are transformed into the men and women God wants us to be, He will be honored! As He is honored and we share the hope of the Gospel, others will be saved as well!

So, who is this Babe in a manger? He is our great example of who we ought to be!

WHAT ARE LIVING FOR?

“If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.—C.T Studd

            For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

            In commenting at a graduation service a graduate once said, “Mom and Dad, I am thankful for all you have sacrificed.” I began to wonder about this word sacrifice; it is giving up something I want, something I desire to keep, something I hold dear to my heart. So is giving money for my children to go to a Christian School really a sacrifice? What did I sacrifice? I wanted them to go. I wanted them to hear from a Biblical view point about our world. I wanted to protect them from the wiles of the devil. I wanted them to be grounded in the Bible. So no, it was not a sacrifice for me. I am not sure I have ever sacrificed anything when compared to what God has sacrificed for me. Sure, I give my tithe, I give my faith promise, I give to needs of the church and the needs of the people in the church, but have I sacrificed?

Church, we are no longer to live for ourselves. Verse 15 says, “…that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” Are you living for self or the Saviour today?

Why are you living?

Make sure the thing you're living for is worth dying for. –Mayes

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. Psalm 27:4

Enough is said in the chorus of the song, “Because He Lives”:

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!.......What are you living for…is it worth dying for?