We Live Here—How Must We Live?
I wonder today if the world knows who Jesus is, and if they say they know Him, do they live as if they know Him.
Tragedy strikes.
Abuse rages.
Cover-ups continue.
Degradation persists.
- We live in a dark, ugly world—one where sin, death, evil, darkness, and the lies of the devil exist.
- We live here.
- We live here—now—for a time, but we who know Jesus as our Savior, know this place is not our forever home.
- Yet, we live here, & while we live here for a time, we know there is much work to be done.
- We live here—now—for a time as we await the coming of Jesus.
- We live here!
- We live here—now—for a time, and we cannot ignore the darkness, the evil one, the father of lies because he, too, lives here among us—for a time.
- We live here—So What Must We Be About—Who Must We Represent—How Must WE LIVE—As we live here for a time?
- Where do we live? I live for a season, on a university campus, one filled with all variety of students, and while I Live Here, on this campus, surrounded by these students—How Must I Live?
- Where do we live? Maybe you live for a season, caring for children and grandchildren, with those precious ones who must grow up within this world. While you Live Here, surrounded by these children you love—How Must You Live?
- Where do we live? Maybe you live for a season, separated from children, grandchildren, and students. Maybe you live here, living among adults only. While you Live Here, surrounded by colleagues, co-workers, adults—How Must You Live?
We Live Here—How Must We Live?
We Live Here—So How Must We Walk Through Our Days, Our Today, As We Live Here?
- I wonder if the world knows who Jesus is where we live?
- I wonder if the world knows who Jesus is where we work?
- I wonder if the world knows who Jesus is to me? To you—where we live?
- I wonder if the world knows that Jesus lives within me?
- I wonder if the world knows that Jesus lives within you?
Do they know Jesus is alive—living within us?
Do they know Him as we know Him?
When Jesus speaks, if we believe in Him, confess our sins, and accept Him as our Savior, then we know His words. We will recognize His voice. We will seek to understand His will for our lives. This has never changed. In reading today about the early believers, I noticed a distinct difference between the two groups: those who do not know Jesus & those who do know Jesus. See with me a certain passage from the Scriptures.
“So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ “
(John 8: 31-32)
In another passage within the Scriptures, we find these words:
“And turning His gaze [Jesus’ gaze] toward His disciples, He began to say, ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.
Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets. . . .”
(Luke 6: 20-23)
We are Here—How Must We Live—While We Are Here?
- Are we thriving within our discipleship?
- Are we falling short within our discipleship?
- Are we living worldly, as if we belong to this world?
- Are we living within this world but not of this world?
- Are we Hungry for souls to be saved?
- Are we Weeping over the darkness we see within this world?
- Are we Poor by the world’s standards but rich by God’s standards?
- Are we Hated, Ostracized, Insulted, Scorned—for Jesus’ sake?
- Are we Leaping for Joy, allowing the world around us to see, to hear, to know where we are headed?
- Are we telling others about the coming of our Lord—as the prophets did?
Are we thriving or falling short—within our discipleship—our Savior Jesus & Lord gave to us to live?
- Tragedy will continue to strike until Jesus comes.
- Abuse will continue to rage until Jesus comes.
- Cover-ups will continue until Jesus comes.
- Degradation will persist until Jesus comes.
Even so, that does not mean we should throw up our hands and do nothing!
That means we are to throw up our hands and praise our Father for His Salvation & Then—
- Strive daily to develop a more intimate relationship with Jesus.
- Equip those around us to reach others in need of Jesus.
- Disciple those around us who are new in their faith in Jesus.
- Instill a heart-passion to reach the lost surrounding us—for Jesus.
We Live Here—Now—So, How Must We Live?
Jesus spoke of how we can know who is our Father.
“Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word.
You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
(John 8: 43-44)
Jesus tells us best how we can know that we know that we know—we belong to Him!
“Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death. . . .”
“If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste of death.”
(John 8: 51 & 52b)
Let us Live Here—While We Are Here—On Mission—On Purpose—
Keeping Jesus’ Word Deep Within Our Hearts;
Sharing Jesus’ Word With All Those We Encounter;
Praying, Asking God For Opportunities To Share Jesus;
Realizing This Is NOT Our Home;
We Are Here For Just A Brief Time; &
Then We Will Escape Death Because We Have Jesus Dwelling & Alive Inside Us!
May we thrive & not fall short—knowing the Truth Lives within us.
May we thrive & not fall short within our discipleship—our Savior Jesus & Lord gave to us to live?