One of the top religious rumors in our world today is that following Jesus doesn’t require you to change anything about yourself.
The truth of the matter is that following Jesus means losing yourself.
Here’s what that does not mean. It does not mean that you have no personality. It does not mean that you are not unique. It does not mean that God didn’t create you with a special design and for special purposes.
However, it does mean that your personality, your uniqueness, your special design and purposes were not intended for you, or for anyone else, but for God.
Colossians 1:16 says, 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him (my emphasis).
Ephesians 2:10 says, 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (my emphasis).
Not only were you and I created through Jesus, but we were also created for Jesus. Not only are we His workmanship, but we were made for doing God’s good works.
But when we look around at the world and even at the church, do we see a world, do we see a church living to serve God’s purposes or our own? It’s not surprising to see a world that doesn’t know Jesus living for themselves, but this should not be true of the church.
God has made one master of all – Jesus. Though He is the master of all, he is currently away, and being away, his rule is not yet being enforced. But some day soon, it will be enforced. Some day soon, he will return to this earth and those who currently stand in defiance of him will stand no longer but every knee shall bow (Romans 14:11).
This week’s lesson will teach us what every follower of Jesus should be doing when Jesus returns. May we all live in such a way that we are proving ourselves to be his faithful servants when he returns.
Much love!
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
