HOW DO I LOOK AT MY LIFE? Do I look at my life as having no meaning, or do I know the purpose for my existence?
ATHEIST WORLD VIEW... Atheist's view their lives as a random collection of atoms: Time + Chance = Creation. If this is true, then life has no meaning... Atheist, Betram Russell said, "Unless you assume a God, the question of life's purpose is meaningless".
Jesus sees my life as having meaning! Ephesians 1:11-12 (MSG)... It's in Christ, Messiah that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of an overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
HOW DO I VIEW MY PROBLEMS? Jesus sees the end from the beginning... Romans 8:28 (NIV)... And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
HOW DO I VALUE MYSELF? God sees my life as valuable! John 3:16 (NIV)... For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, the whoever (Wanda, You) believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Example of "believe"... I believe a bullet-proof vest will stop a bullet and save my life but until I put one on, give you a gun and say shoot me... I don't really believe!!!
Not that I really know until it happens, but who would I give my life for? Now, the rubber meets the road... who would I give my son's life for? Good question, God gave Jesus' life so I could be forgiven for my sins while I was still sinning, before I asked and continue to sin.
HOW DO I VALUE OTHERS? Matthew 22:37-39... "Jesus replied, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, "love your neighbor as yourself".
According to Matthew 22::37-39... in order to love my neighbor as myself, I need to love myself first. How do I do this?
CHRISTIAN WORLD VIEW... What does this view give us?
1. A past... continuing forgiveness (no guilt to eat away at my insides)
2. A present...
A. Purpose... a reason to face each day with joy, feelings of accomplishment, satisfaction
B. Comfort and Peace... God is in control and will never forsake me
C. Value... there is no true self-esteem without God
D. Ability to give value to others... God gave His son for whosoever!!!
3. A Future... on earth: no worry or fear. physical, emotional, financial, relational and... spiritual provision and in heaven. No fear... Psalm 23: even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil"
No comments:
Post a Comment