We are no longer our own

We live in a culture that requires that we get what we want, how we want it, and when we want it.  I was thinking of some very successful advertising slogans.  Here are a few:

·           Burger King -  “Have it Your Way”

·           McDonalds – “We Do It All For You”

·           Kit Kat  - “Give Me A Break”

·           Staples – “That was Easy”

·           Los Vegas – “What Happens Here, Stays Here”

·           McDonalds – “You Deserve a Break Today”

·           Loreal – “Because I’m Worth It”

Have you seen the theme?  It’s about me, the consumer.  It’s about my wants, my comfort, my appearance, me, me, me! We have become a very “me centered” culture.  Jesus, of course, had a very different message.  It was Jesus who said, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” And amazingly enough, the response to this was, “They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” (Matt 4:18-20)

The disciples had a choice to make. They could follow Him, or not follow Him. At the time they were invited, they couldn’t know to what they were following Him. What did it mean to become “fishers of men anyway?” Could they have known the long-term implications of this life-changing decision? There was no promise in the invitation other than that they would become “fishers of men.” Not exactly a complete ministry description! Had they know what changes their lives would go through, perhaps at that moment they may have declined.

Saul of Tarsus had his life in order.  He was a rising star among his peers.  He was a leader whom men would follow. One day, he met Jesus.  On that Damascus road, in a blinding show of glory, Saul came face to face with Jesus.  His response was to ask two very important questions. Those two questions were, “Who are you, Lord?” and “What would you have me do?” (Acts 9:5-6)

Jesus never came to fit in with our plans.  He came to change our lives, and with that, change our life’s direction and goals. I can say with 100% certainty that before I met the Lord, the last thing in the world I would ever want to be is a proclaimer of the Gospel. Yet, it is now a call that I embrace with all my heart.  There was no negotiating with Saul.  Saul had a created purpose, and his choice was simple.  He could embrace it, or reject it.  There is no modifying it.  Let me say here that Saul’s life was not going to be an easy one.  The Lord gave a glimpse into Saul’s future as a follower of Christ with the words He spoke to Ananias regarding Saul.  He told him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.  For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake." (Acts 9:15-16)  Saul’s life was mapped out before he was even born. His choice was simple.  He could say yes to it, or he could say no.

For some, every new opportunity is met with a process of determining whether to say “yes” or “no.”  Questions like, “what’s in it for me?” and “does this fit into my plans?” are asked to determine one’s availability.  When you leave your nets to follow Him, when you ask Him “what would you have me do?” or when you say, as Isaiah did, “Here am I, send me,” you have put your future choices in His hands. A simple yielding to the Lord’s leading is all that is required.

God is not looking for endless negotiations with His people.  He wants us to embrace the reality that we are no longer our own, we have been bought at a price, and we are to glorify God in our bodies! (1 Cor. 6:19-20) We accept that we are members set in the body as it pleases Him! (1 Cor. 12:18) This makes our lives so much less complicated. We said yes to Him, now we do as He instructs.

There was a time when starting our first church in Buffalo, NY, that I was being called upon to go full-time.  The church was an inner city church, and it required that I leave a secure, very well-paying job, and accept a 2/3 annual pay cut, and lose all benefits.  It was a serious decision.  I remember coming to Elim for a week to pray and fast, and seek the heart of God on this.  During that week, I heard absolutely nothing!  I was totally frustrated when I got into my car to drive back to Buffalo. When I made the turn on Rt. 20, I clearly heard the Lord speak to me.  I remember it as though it had just happened.  He said, “If you are looking for me to promise you security or position, I won’t do it. But, if you want to serve me, I promise to let you.”  Not only did I have my answer for the issue at hand, I had a word that would guide me through the rest of my life.  My choice is as simple today as it was back then.  I can say “yes” to Him, or I can say “no.” I can’t negotiate for better terms!

It was in the opening session of Paul Johansson’s class on the Book of Romans that I received what I call “my life’s verse.”  That is, a verse that gives me guidance and perspective in the most confusing of times. “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.” (Rom 1:1) All at once it all became so clear, so simple. It’s not about endless choices, do this or that, say yes or no, follow or not follow.  It’s about one basic decision.

This verse says three things:

1)    Paul, a bond slave - Slave by personal choice

2)    Called to be – A divine decision

3)    Separated unto the Gospel – He has a plan for me

We can choose to serve or not to serve.  That is our right. But if we choose to serve, we cannot choose how to serve.  That is His choice.

“Have it your way,” “That was easy,” and “Because you’re worth it,” are not slogans that support a life sold out to God. The choice is simple, as it has always been. Each of us must make it for ourselves. Saying “yes” never was a promise to ease and comfort.  On the contrary, it’s through many tribulations that we enter the Kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22)

As you face the choices and decisions of your life, face them with the conscious awareness that you gave your life to Him, you are His bond slave, it is His decision how and where you will serve Him.