Don’t put it off – It starts today

2 Corinthians 5:14-15   For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

The Apostle Paul had been pouring out the proofs of a Christ centered life in the scriptures leading to this. He had spoken of the desire to be with Christ in our renewed bodies; he had spoken of the faith that leads us; he had spoken of the reality of the judgement seat of Christ that we must all stand before one day. We must answer for every action, word, and thought for our time allowed here before Christ that day. As I gave my testimony yesterday to our small group, those reflections scare me. I lived so much of my life as a very bad guy; but God still pursued me, forgave me, and can use me to attest to the power of His saving grace. I am a testament to the forgiving power of the Lord Jesus Christ. You can be too!

Paul got it. He got the realization of how bad he was, and how great Christ is. He got the realization of his pathway to hell if he did not accept what Christ had done for him, and what he could not do for himself. Once your depravity lost in sin truly sinks in, you will be drawn to move your life forward in a way of service to the One who provided you eternal forgiveness and life through faith in Him. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. This new person should live as a new person, not returning to the ways of one’s old self. The desire to live a new life should be stronger than the desire to return to sin. This is where only true change comes; through the power of the Gospel first. You cannot change yourself and then come to God. You must humble yourself and let God change you first. You cannot do this on your own prideful will.

I feel trapped in my current situation of life right now. I could expound on that, but I am sure many of us feel the same way. God knows where you are right now and what you are feeling. In any of life’s circumstances you can dedicate your life to God. Paul did it in prison. If he had been busy preaching every day walking the streets of the middle east, we would not have much of the New Testament. God parked him in a prison and said “write what I tell you to”. Living a life “no longer for themselves” just means seeking and focusing your every day on drawing nearer to God. Through this pursuit He will direct your paths and steer you towards someone whom you may encourage. Those divine appointments reveal a life dedicated to the One whom died for yours. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. It starts today.