Because of Jesus I Am...Sample

Do You See It?

Verse - “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” (2 Corinthians 5:15)

Think -The writer of Corinthians is challenging us to ask ourselves something: What is our motivation? Motivation is the driving force in any decision we make as humans. We do something because we are compensated in some way, whether with money, influence, title, pleasure, need, experience, or something else. But it all begins with recognition. Do we see the why behind what we are doing or what we should be doing?

The specific truth Paul wants us to recognize in this passage is that Christ died for all. I have a simple definition for the word all I learned in college: “All means all, and that’s all all means.” When I recognize (verse 14) the value that Christ has placed on me, I understand (verse 11) this same value is placed on everyone around me (verse 15), and my motivations, the why behind my actions, change. Because, when I accepted Christ as my personal savior, I found new life (verse 17) — a life no longer focused on my own anxieties, the pain of loss, or an unknown future, but rather on the life I have in Christ because He died and rose again for me, for all. I have a new understanding of life, and I want others to recognize it too because it is so amazing, and they could have that new life in Christ themselves.

Apply - So, do you see it? Do you see the value of a life lived in Christ? And do you want others to see the same thing? If so, let’s allow that desire to motivate our words and actions because “He gave us a wonderful message…” (verse 19) that we want everyone to hear.

Pray - Dear Jesus, open my eyes and help me recognize the new life you have given to me and the blessings you have placed on my life. Please give me the courage to share with others the same truth that set me free from the anxieties, fears, and unknowns of this life. Search my heart, open my eyes, and use me to share the message of your love with ALL those who cross my path. We ask this and do this because of your son, Jesus Christ, and what He did upon the cross for us. In His name, amen.

Bio line - Mike Bailey is the lead pastor of IMPACT Church in Parkesburg. Mike is married to his best friend, Beka. The Bailey family loves game nights, cookouts, and chocolate chip cookies.