ksazma posted:Keith posted:To truly follow Christ means He has become everything to us;
The only problem with this my brother is that Jesus is meaningless and can never be everything to me. I already have what I need and I didn't have to accept Jesus as savior. Most of the world's population throughout history has gotten by without accepting Jesus as savior. It is not wise to depend so much from one man. Especially from a man who had so little.
You don't have a personal relationship with Christ as I do so your statement above is excuse on that basis. What I mean by personal relationship is the time spent reading, studying God's word, praying; seeing Him answer prayers and what He has done in my life and others around me. I can depend on Christ, in all my years He has never failed me.
Are you afraid to put your hands to the plow knowing that you will never return to your way of life? Christ came so that you and I would be reconciled back to God and have life everlasting.
For a man who had so little here is what He did in the little time he had. Let us look at several characteristics of His life, characteristics we can strive for in our own lives.
Humility - Philippians 2:5-8 describes the extent of Jesus' humility: "Our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!" God blesses those who show humility!
Service - Matthew 20:28 says, "…The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Jesus is the ultimate example of a man who desired to serve others. He did tasks that were generally left to the servants, like washing feet. John 13:5 describes an event where Jesus served His disciples: "After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." Is your life characterized by a servant's heart?
Glorify God - Jesus said, "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you." Jesus came to earth to glorify His Father. Everything we do should be done to glorify the Father: 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Prayer - What a prayer life Jesus experienced! He was in constant communion with His Father and often got up early in the morning to talk with God. Mark 1:35 says, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Do you enjoy constant fellowship with God?
Sacrifice - Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice! He gave His life so that we (sinful beings) can spend an eternity in heaven with Him. He provided His life - the ultimate sacrifice of His life - as a free gift to all who will believe! 1 John 2:2 says, "He [Jesus] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." When was the last time you sacrificed something for someone else. I'm not talking about animal sacrifices here, but the act of giving up something for God, a friend, or a complete stranger. God wants your sacrifice. Romans 12:1 says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship."
Don't worry about the world's past/present population and their salvation, you should focus on yours first. Have a blessed day my friend.