Not long ago, I would constantly ask myself, “How can I live for Jesus when I would have to give up so much in my life?”
I enjoyed the life I was living and already considered myself to be a good person. There was no need to change. “It’s not like I’m a criminal or anything,” I would think to myself.
I went to church on Sundays and clocked out of my Christian life immediately after the service (and maybe a lunch) was over. I knew who God was and what He did for me–and figured that was enough.
Not sure who I thought I was fooling.
James 2:19 “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder.”
I began to realize the scope of what God did for me by sending Jesus to us as a teacher and, ultimately, a sacrifice. To think that a man who was spiritually perfect died so that someone as spiritually imperfect as I am could even have a chance at being redeemed for my sins still boggles my mind. I get goosebumps every time!
Faith, I’ve come to realize, is based upon more than what we believe. It’s based on actions because faith without actions isn’t faith at all–it’s a lie! It’s a lie to ourselves and it’s a lie to God (James 2:17,24).
If I really understood what God is offering me, regardless of how much I don’t deserve it, how can I not live for Jesus? How can I not want to tell people about Him and what He did for me? How can I not live by the examples and teachings He gave while He was here among us on this planet?
He’s my Savior! So how can I not act like I’ve been saved?!
Wow… I used to be such an idiot!
