Based on John 5:30-47 (New King James Version)
“I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. ‘I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”
For what or for whom are you living your life? Have you ever asked yourself that? I believe the answer for some people is easy. There are others that I don’t think they have ever asked themselves this question. And well, I believe some think they know the answer, but if they look at their lives, they might see something different. And if there is something that I try to do intentionally in the Lord, at minimum, is to try to make people think and meditate. Thinking and meditating is something that doesn’t happen often today. It’s ironic that this is happening in a time like now when we are living in a moment where we have the greatest access to information man has ever had. We don’t think much, because if we did, our lives would be very different (at least, I hope that would be the case).
I don’t think many people understand the value of this life, and moreover, the value of what is to come. But, let’s concentrate in the here and now for a moment. What is the purpose of people’s lives? If we observe and look around, different people have chosen different reasons for their existence. The most common one is selfishness, living to make oneself happy, in one way or another. There are others that have decided to live primarily for a human love, for a family, for a career, for some sort of ideal, for material things, for pleasure, and for a number of other things. There are some people that have no course for their life. They just live life. They treat themselves like a very small piece in a giant machine. And of course, if you really want to see the reason for your existence, I would suggest that you sit down for a moment (or do it walking, however you want), but in silence, without nothing or no one around you; without distractions, and think and meditate on what you are doing daily, and why you are doing things. If you do it genuinely, the answer will become quite apparent.
Why does it matter to know why we do things? Because life has a value. If you are living and breathing at this very moment, it is because God has allowed for you to exist. And as much as Satan and people try to take life in different ways and in different moments (before being born, when young, or as adults), you are alive at this very moment, and for a reason and a purpose. Even the hardest and most evil human being is alive at this very moment because God allows it. There is no other reason, and that life has a purpose. And when you live life without good direction, you finally hurt yourself and everyone around you. And probably the most harmful purpose for anyone to live for is for themselves (it may sound illogical, but it’s the truth).
If we see the life of the Lord, even though He was God, He did not live for Himself. Everything He did was for the Father. He was only looking to do the will of the One that sent Him. He did whatever He saw the Father do. The Lord imitated God the Father to the point of perfection in the life and the works of His Father. He spoke about His Father. He shared with us how to live life and to do what is good. He did signs and wonders, such as the world had never seen. He healed the broken hearted. He made the cripple walk, the blind see, and relieved people of other sicknesses. He freed those that were demon possessed. He raised the dead; children and adults. He obeyed the Father to the point of surrendering His own life in the most painful and agonizing way a human could ever die. But, despite that, even though it cost him a great deal of pain and sacrifice, He did the will of the One that sent Him. And blessed be God Almighty and our Lord Jesus for that, because, what would have happened if the Lord wouldn’t have done everything He did? What would have happened if He would have forgotten His purpose, the reason for why He came into this world? He was (and is) God and He had all the power to decide and to do as He pleased. He would not have ceased to be what He was if He would have done differently, because it is just a fact, that He is God. And nothing can change that.
And now, how should what the Lord did affect us? If we understand our position (that we are nothing, and that we had no hope without Him), and that He did something great for you and me (personally) because He just wanted to, don’t you think that should be enough to live life for Him? If you have truly decided to follow Christ and have made the Lord the master of your life, the Bible teaches us this: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” Colossians 3:23. If we desire to have a full life here, and more importantly, after all of this, the Bible also teaches us this: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:7-9
So then, if you live life just for yourself and for temporary things (even though they may not be evil within themselves), you will only receive something temporary (if you are able to obtain what you want). But, if you live life for the Lord and for His purposes, you will have what is eternal guaranteed, and God might even surprise you during the here and now also. So then, are you living life for the Lord? Lord bless! John