Following JesusНамуна

LIVING FOR JESUS

... and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. - 2 Corinthians 12:15

Paul makes a strong statement in verse 15 that Jesus died for all that we who live should no longer live for ourselves, but for Jesus. That means, when I choose to follow Jesus, I stop living for myself but live for Jesus and His kingdom.

Jesus, in His prayer in John 17 prays, “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.”

Jesus’ prayer makes it clear that though we are not of this world, we are in this world. We are like ambassadors who live in another country but are citizens of their own country. All we do is to promote the interests of our country.

That means all that I do, in terms of work, life and leisure is focused on the things of the kingdom of God and not of this world. When we live in this world, we work for salary and a means of sustenance. We are working towards progress and promotions. But when we realize that we are ambassadors of God and not citizens of this world, we work to fulfil God’s purpose for our work, which is to serve mankind and to provide for the material and spiritual needs of people. The focus of our life changes. We fulfil the divine purpose of work and not our selfish goals.

Because we are not looking for personal advancement, we become outstanding team players who are playing for the team and not selfishly for themselves. We build and empower others rather than competing against them, and all benefit - the organization and the members of the organization.

When we do this, we fulfil Jesus’ command in Matthew 6:31, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

We seek the purposes of God and He provides for us. The mechanics of life like work, leisure and family do not change, but the motivations in life do. Instead of being self-oriented, we are other-oriented, as Paul encourages in 1 Corinthians 10:24, “Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.”

What is the driving force in your life? Serving God and people or serving self?