Title: Don't Waste Your Life
Contents
How can we live a life without waste? In Ephesians 5:15-17, the Apostle Paul says, “Take heed how we should live.” In other words, it means “don’t make mistakes and sins throughout your life” or “don’t live a drifting life.” If you think about it, it means, “Take every opportunity that comes your way, very wisely, and try to understand what God wants you to do.”
We will take a closer look at what God wants us to do in our lives over the next 40 days starting next week. Before that today, I would like to ask you three questions.
1. What does God want in my life?
Throughout the Bible, in a word, God wants our entire life. Not a single part of the Bible is written about how we can become true Christians while keeping what we once enjoyed doing.
In Romans 6:13, “only” and “your members” refer to all of us. But a lot of people stand in the middle and watch. We must give everything to God. God says we cannot put the two together on our top priorities in life.
Aside from money, there are many things in our lives that take a place where God should have a place. Our work may take its place, or things like entertainment, sports, and hobbies may push God away and take our place at the center of our lives. But God tells us, “I want everything. I want your whole life.” He says that you cannot serve God and nothing else together.
We must choose who will be the Lord in our lives. Are you yourself? Or is it God? Is God first or you yourself first? In which part is it not saying to God, “Me first”?
When we put God first in our lives, God takes care of everything else (Proverbs 3:6). No one does not want to be successful. So are we. The Bible tells the way to success right here. “Put God first in everything you do. Put God first in everything you do, and God will crown your efforts.” The first question we should ask in life is, what does God want? God wants all of us.
2. What price must I pay?
So, at what cost to not waste your life? That's "training". Psalm 10:17 writes, “O LORD, you have heard the desire of the humble; you prepare their hearts and give their ears to hear.” We cannot be disciples without training. Another word that has the meaning of training is “habit.” Habits are the result of training. Now we'll look at some of the goals we're going to cover in our 40 Days of Purpose Driven Campaign just next week, which will help us develop new spiritual habits.
First of all, you need to train to throw away. You cannot add something new without throwing away something (Hebrews 12:1). If we choose God seriously, He will help us and accomplish wonderful things in our lives.
3. Why should I be trained?
What should I do to grow spiritually? We need to cut back on other things to make time for God in our lives. We can have both the benefits of our life in this life right now and the benefits we will enjoy forever after we die. But even if we get no benefit, we must do what God tells us to do. Even if there is no benefit on this earth, we have a reason to do so. That is the “Cross”. Jesus gave up his entire life for us. Now Jesus wants us to give our all for Him.
People are very important to God. Doing something about people's eternal destiny is truly more important than anything else. The Bible tells us: “As co-workers with God, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1).
Habakkuk 3:2 “I am astonished to hear about you, O LORD. In these years, O LORD, may your work be revived. In these years, show me your mercy. Even in your wrath, do not forget your mercy.” God wants you to be a part of this miracle. Now is your chance. God bless all of us.