A Life That Matters
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
What kind of life matters? The life of an elected official? A servicemen? The life of the unborn? The elderly? The life of a certain skin tone or occupation? The life of a child?
Each of the above questions requires a judgment call. They are value questions that cause you to define your perspective in each scenario. Many people have been reflecting on these questions of late. But the Lord has settled the issue years ago. In the text it clearly states that the Lord is “not willing that any should perish…” It is not His will that any should die- especially spiritually. He laid down his precious, sinless life, to purchase life for us. Eternal life. He died so that we would not have to! Because He cared that much for each one of us, we can be assured of this one eternal truth- all lives are equally sacred. We stand on level ground at the cross. Unworthy, but blessedly loved! Equally treasured. Unreservedly sacrificed for- so that we might have life eternal!
God loves everyone and so must we! We should not be satisfied with bloodshed of anyone. The sanctity of human life was validated by our Savior. As Christians, we must use our time, talent and influence to carry out the work that Jesus began- to heal, to bind up, to set free!
We must love unconditionally. Lavishly. Sacrificially. In John 15:13, it states:
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Jesus did exactly that. As the Roman soldiers came to take him away, He went willingly, without a fight. As He was mocked, struck, ridiculed and beaten, He did not resist. His life was not taken from Him! No! A thousand times no! He chose to lay it down, knowing at any moment He could call for a legion of angels to fight for Him. Knowing that He could speak one word of judgment and all of His enemies would be struck dead. But instead, He laid down His life- considering them all friends.
Who is my friend? The person I talk to all the time? The person I eat lunch or shop with? To Jesus, all of humanity was His friend. Each person was someone that He valued, cherished and for whom He sacrificed.
Dear friend, dear fellow American, dear believer scattered throughout this great globe:
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” John 15:13
The time has come. Fully come. For the church to be the Church! For Christians universal to rise up and walk out this love that we have received. To serve. To sacrifice. To share. The times of the end are at hand- will we be found faithful? Will we actively participate in the final harvest of souls?
Dear Lord, I ask for every person reading this devotional, for every Christian throughout the world, that you grant us a spirit of unity. That we would be bound with cords of love. Empower and embolden us to love lavishly. Extravagantly. Help us to resist a spirit of fear, but rather to cling to the Spirit of Truth. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Powerful reminder that we all matter to Him, believer or not. May He give us the words to speak truth in love.
May we all rise up and stand upon His Word…Love our neighbors as He first loved us. Red, black, yellow or white- we are ALL precious in His sight! ?