On Facebook I posed a question of determining righteousness- doing what is right even if it is not easy. I asked if someone, me, should continue attending a class and do the final homework when one knew there was no way to pass this class. My friend's answers were of varying degree and very helpful. This led me to remember who I am and how I want to be defined.
I am a Christian. Now that word can be thrown around by some to mean various things but for me that means I am: a follower of the one who called himself "The Christ", which means messiah or promised savior. To be a follower of Jesus of Nazareth means I will pattern my
life after his.
Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, finished what he started. It wasn't if he WANTED to finish what he started. It wasn't if he FELT like finishing what he started. He just chose to and did. At some point in his human life, and we can get into the theology of when/if later, Jesus knew what was going to happen to him. He knew he would be betrayed. He knew he would die by means of crucifixion and be buried and rise again on the third day. (Mt. 17:23, 20:19, Lk 9:22, 13:32, 18:33, 24:21 NIV) Jesus knew full well what was in his future. He knew that he would not "win" and yet he chose to keep going.
Now I know my class is nothing compared to the choice he made but it is choice none-the-less. It is a decision to do as Christ did or go on based on my feelings. Is there justification to quit? Probably so. Does one have to? Absolutely not. Will anything change if I don't quit? YES! I will be different. Personally, I will have said to myself that I am not important but following Christ is my call.
As a Christian we have been called to excellence. Now please don't mistake excellence for perfection. Excellence is giving our best to what we know if right. We can not be perfect but we can give our all to what we have committed to do and trust God to handle the outcomes, whatever they may be. Will it be pleasant all the time? Nope. Will we succeed all the time? Nope. But may God get the glory? That is the prayer and that was Jesus' prayer as well. (Luke 22:42, John 17:1)
Jesus showed determination- deciding it is worth it to finish what you started. He knew that humanity would have been separated from God forever if he didn't take the punishment for our sins. He knew that a perfect sacrifice was needed to pay the debt that our selfish rebellious nature demanded. He loves you and me so much that when he looked at if it was worth it he said a resounding, "YES!!!" a thousand times over. He loves you and he loves me. He chose to die for that. God honored Jesus. God raised Jesus from the grave and lifted him up in glory.
If you do not know about this amazing love and would like to know more please comment below or email me. Accepting Jesus as your personal savior and Lord is the most important decision you will ever make. Please don't let another moment go by without finding out more about what Jesus did for you and how you can know him personally.
As for me, I will make my small choices to lift my Christ up as well. I will honor my Lord and my God with an attitude that worships him. I choose worship. I choose to honor him. I choose determination.
I am a Christian. Now that word can be thrown around by some to mean various things but for me that means I am: a follower of the one who called himself "The Christ", which means messiah or promised savior. To be a follower of Jesus of Nazareth means I will pattern my
life after his.
Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, finished what he started. It wasn't if he WANTED to finish what he started. It wasn't if he FELT like finishing what he started. He just chose to and did. At some point in his human life, and we can get into the theology of when/if later, Jesus knew what was going to happen to him. He knew he would be betrayed. He knew he would die by means of crucifixion and be buried and rise again on the third day. (Mt. 17:23, 20:19, Lk 9:22, 13:32, 18:33, 24:21 NIV) Jesus knew full well what was in his future. He knew that he would not "win" and yet he chose to keep going.
Now I know my class is nothing compared to the choice he made but it is choice none-the-less. It is a decision to do as Christ did or go on based on my feelings. Is there justification to quit? Probably so. Does one have to? Absolutely not. Will anything change if I don't quit? YES! I will be different. Personally, I will have said to myself that I am not important but following Christ is my call.
As a Christian we have been called to excellence. Now please don't mistake excellence for perfection. Excellence is giving our best to what we know if right. We can not be perfect but we can give our all to what we have committed to do and trust God to handle the outcomes, whatever they may be. Will it be pleasant all the time? Nope. Will we succeed all the time? Nope. But may God get the glory? That is the prayer and that was Jesus' prayer as well. (Luke 22:42, John 17:1)
Jesus showed determination- deciding it is worth it to finish what you started. He knew that humanity would have been separated from God forever if he didn't take the punishment for our sins. He knew that a perfect sacrifice was needed to pay the debt that our selfish rebellious nature demanded. He loves you and me so much that when he looked at if it was worth it he said a resounding, "YES!!!" a thousand times over. He loves you and he loves me. He chose to die for that. God honored Jesus. God raised Jesus from the grave and lifted him up in glory.
If you do not know about this amazing love and would like to know more please comment below or email me. Accepting Jesus as your personal savior and Lord is the most important decision you will ever make. Please don't let another moment go by without finding out more about what Jesus did for you and how you can know him personally.
As for me, I will make my small choices to lift my Christ up as well. I will honor my Lord and my God with an attitude that worships him. I choose worship. I choose to honor him. I choose determination.