A man went for water baptism. As the pastor was about to immerse him, he said, “Whatever goes into this water now belongs to God.” The man quickly stopped him, brought out his wallet from his back pocket, and lifted it above the water. He didn’t want his money to belong to God. Many Christians live with the same mindset today.
Friend, you must understand your new life in Christ (Romans 6:4). It is a borrowed life. Your old life is dead. The one you now have is the one Christ gave you. At salvation, you gave your old life to be buried, and you received His own. You are now expected to walk in newness of life, knowing it belongs to Christ (Philippians 3:7-10).
Salvation is a gift, but Christianity is a walk. It is our walk that validates the gift. We are admonished to walk worthy of the Lord (Colossians 1:10). We are commanded to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, to show forth what Christ has worked in us and is still working in us (Philippians 2:12-13).
When a Christian says, “It’s my life, I can do what I like,” he is mistaken (2 Corinthians 5:15). Such talk comes from ignorance or neglect of the demands of the Christian life. Any gospel that hides the demands of following Christ is not the true gospel. Jesus said we must deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him (Luke 9:23).
If Jesus were to rate how you are living His life for Him, what score would you get? Many pray for long life, but God asks, what for (Luke 12:16-21)? Living long without living for Christ is a waste of heaven’s investment. God only sponsors a life lived in Him and for Him. That consciousness compels sanctification and commands obedience (Galatians 2:20).
Like the man in our story, ask yourself, what part of my life am I still keeping from Christ (Luke 6:46)? Is Jesus Lord of all, or Lord of only some? God’s expectation is that every believer becomes a living sacrifice. Until you willingly lay your life on God’s altar like Isaac and Jesus did, you have not yet started living for God (Romans 12:1-2).
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria
