Celebrate Everyday pt. 19

Today is going to take a more serious look at the holiday of day than the past few days. First of all, this is a touchy subject. It is one that must be evaluated seriously. It is...

Evaluate Your Life Day!

For starters, let's think about our unbelieving friends, when they talk about evaluating their lives there isn't much hope. They have personally made all the decisions to get to the point where they presently are. Some are pleased with where have ended up, but a majority of others are not satisfied. They had bigger dreams and higher hopes for themselves, but whatever situation it may have been, something hindered them from achieving their desired end. Some people call this the "mid-life crisis" point.

Yet, as believers in Christ, we have a hope about our lives. We know that as we are submitting to God's will for our lives, He will not lead us in a wrong way. While we may have certain hopes and dreams for our lives, obedience will lead us to a place that is content in Christ. We don't have to worry about anything, because we know that God is in control! In light of that, we can "evaluate" our lives according to God's word. We need to test our thoughts, actions, and motives against the truth that is found there.

So, this morning in my devotions, I was reading/studying Romans 15:1-7. In thinking about "evaluating your life", I think that some of the things from this passage are appropriate for today.

[in context] Paul has spent the previous three chapters writing to the church in Rome about their practical lives before God, the church, and others. He begins with the command to (1) present your bodies as a living sacrifice to God, which is the logical thing to do. Then he talks about the motivation of action toward others, which is (2) loving genuinely and wholeheartedly. Chapter 14 opens a discussion about stumbling blocks. Paul exhorts the believers (3) be fully convinced in your own mind about your actions, (4) to live for the Lord and not for yourself, (5) to not pass judgement on one another, and to (6) do everything in faith with no doubting.

In the first seven verses of chapter 15, Paul, by the Holy Spirit, writes about our example. Christ is our example in all things of One who glorified God, was submitted to God's will, and loved others more than Himself.

What is the command?

bear with the failings of the weak

do not please yourself

please your neighbor for his edification

look to Christ for your example

What is the benediction? (vs. 5-7)

"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."

Let's evaluate our lives through the Word of God, that we may glorify God in all things!