THINGS JESUS DIDN’T DIE FOR
We all know what Jesus died for, right? We’ve read many articles, sung many songs and heard many sermons about that subject. But He didn’t die for some of the things we could think He died for. There are some things He DIDN’T die for.
JESUS DIDN’T DIE FOR OUR SELFISH AMBITIONS. He didn’t die so we could have a more comfortable, easy life. Our ‘what’s in it for me’ entitlement attitude does not belong in our Christian life. Life isn’t all about us. Christianity isn’t about how to get our own needs met, our finances improved or our possessions increased. Those who say it is are wrong. We are called to be selfless, sacrificing servants. Jesus didn’t die to help us fulfill our agenda. Our whole purpose is to help Him fulfill His! It’s not a sin for a Christian to be rich or successful, but when the motiving force behind it is selfishness and not to give God the glory, we are just building our kingdom, not His.
When trials, pain or any kind of hardship come, we can be tempted to think it can’t be from God. it must be from Satan. Some wrongly teach that God always and only wants us to have lives of ease and comfort, that anything less cannot be from Him. The truth, however, is that God uses persecution to test our faith and build our spiritual muscles. It is in trials and tribulations that we are reminded how little we are without God. We are forced to examine our lives, our hopes, our dreams and our mortality. As the heat of oppression rises, we have nothing to hold on to except for God. During trials, grab hold of Christ. Cling to Him and know that there is a reason for your suffering. There is some lesson you are meant to learn that God could teach you no other way. Or perhaps He is using you as an example to those who are watching you. So, focus on Him and learn. Don’t assume He died for your selfish ambitions.
JESUS DIDN’T DIE TO MAKE THE AMERICAN DREAM HAPPEN FOR US. The American dream is a good, beautiful thing. People can improve their state in life and find a lifestyle they couldn’t find anywhere else. There is nothing wrong in that for a Christian. It should not, however, be the total of our existence. It should not be all that we are living for on this earth, especially for followers of Christ. As Christians, we are called to impact our culture for the Kingdom of Heaven and live our lives as witnesses for Christ, not to focus solely on material and earthly gains. The Bible says to seek the Kingdom of God first, not power or possessions. Let God provide for your needs as He sees fit.
JESUS DIDN’T DIE SO WE CAN BE SHALLOW, SUNDAY ONLY CHRISTIANS. Jesus hates hypocrisy and condemned it over and over. Nothing enraged Him more than fake religious show. In anger He threw over the tables of those who used religion for personal gain – twice! He had more critical things to say about religious hypocrisy than about anything unbelievers did. He didn’t die just so we could have a place to go on Sundays when we need something from God. God isn’t a magic gene we turn to when everything else fails. A relationship with Him can’t be something we put on and take off, using Him when we need something and ignoring Him the rest of the time. We may not be that extreme all the time, but I think if we are honest we can all find some of that in each of us. Jesus didn’t die to provide that kind of relationship.
JESUS DIDN’T DIE SO WE COULD SUBSTITUTE BUSINESS FOR HOLINESS. Christian life today is full of programs, conferences and the next great book to read. There are more Christian things to do than you can shake a stick at, and the number increases every day. These are all wonderful ways to grow your faith and increase your participation in Christian fellowship. They are not, however, the point of Jesus’ death on the cross. Jesus died so that we could have more than an expanding knowledge base about Him and a full activity schedule keeping busy for Him. Jesus died so we could have a deep, intimate relationship with Him. Our relationship with Him is about quality, not quantity. Take time to enjoy Him, to hear Him speak and to grow more deeply in love with Him.
JESUS DID DIE SO WE WOULDN’T HAVE TO. Jesus died so that we would not have to. He suffered on the cross in order to save us from death and darkness. Without Him and His death, we would have all been doomed to suffer for our sins. Christ saved us from that fate when He died on the cross and rose again on the third day. The resurrection, however, does not mean that we can simply sit back and enjoy the knowledge that we are saved. Christ made it clear over and over in the Scriptures that He also expects us to take up our cross and follow Him. As He said in the Bible to His disciples, we have to choose to die for ourselves and the world of sin. It is only then that the life of Jesus can grow and have a greater place in us.
Matthew 6:33 Seek first His kingdom an His righteousness, all these things will be given to you as well.
Are you tempted to believe any of the above lies? If so, confess them and ask God to help you adjust your thinking.
Do you know anyone who is living these lies? Pray for them. Ask God what you can do to help them.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India & Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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