For if while we were enemies,
we were reconciled to God through
the death of His Son,
much more, having been reconciled,
we shall be saved by His life.
How many sermons did it take? How many years did I refuse to even consider Christianity? Poor Mom and Dad--they tried so hard to put me in places where I'd hear the gospel, everything from private Christian schools, to Vacation Bible School to church camp. Well, I wish they were here to see me now. I finally made that decision and started a new life. Jesus is my Savior and I'm trying to allow Him to be my Lord, but I keep falling flat on my face. What's wrong? I try and try--but I keep falling. You talk about miserable! Oh, my family doesn't know and I'm keeping up a good front with my accountability buddy. But I'm about ready to throw in the towel. There's got to be more to Christianity than I've tapped into. (Anonymous)
Can you relate? How many of us have said, "There's GOT to be more to the Christian life than I'm experiencing!" How many people sitting in the pew on Sunday simply made their weekly pilgrimage and will face next week just like they faced last week--in their strength, carrying their burdens, basking in their achievements, minimizing their failures? They're doing it their way. But go on down the pew where others are wrestling with their failures. Anger. Smoldering pain. Depression. The magazine with the centerfold. Selfish. Foul language. And there are times when both groups think about how disappointing they must be to God--how they want to do better and wonder if there isn't more to Christianity than this.
If you identify, you are a disappointment to God. Not because you picked up the pornographic magazine or did things your way. He is disappointed for you because you haven't gone far enough in your relationship with Him. Yes, He's your Savior and you're trying to let Him be your Lord. But there's another step. You see, you can never walk consistently with Him as your Lord until you take up your cross (and you die on a cross) and allow Christ to be your life! He longs to walk past the magazine rack for you. He wants to face life for you all week long. You can't overcome the gossip and lust--but He can. Jesus Christ is the only one who has ever lived or will ever live the Christian life. We choose--our way or His way!
Let's say that you are a promising tennis player. Your coach is a pro who says you've got the makings of a champ! Now, would you rather have your coach on the sidelines shouting instructions or, if possible, would you have him crawl inside your body where he could make the shots through you while sizing up your opponent's weaknesses? Oh, you'd still be you with your unique talents and gifts, but He would be your source. Hey, you really would be a champ!
This is the gospel that God initiated when we asked Jesus to come into us to save us. "For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." If we have been saved by Jesus' death, then what is His life saving us from? From the pressures of life on Earth! Christ living the Christian life through us is just as much a part of the gospel as Christ dying for us.
Don't throw in the towel! You need Christ as life. This is your answer. God has no plan to "help" you meet your circumstances. Jesus living through you is God's provision to meet every circumstance! But if you keep trying to stay in control, you'll keep failing or lack His peace. And it won't change...not until you say:
Jesus, blessed Savior and Lord, I can't make life work and I need You to make it work for me, through me. I need You to be my life, to handle the backhand blows, the smashes, the lobs, the serves, the wins and the losses. Show me how to let You do it all for me--through me, please Lord.
Taken from the Lifetime Daily Devotion, day 179, on www.youversion.com
