The Goal of Life

Chapter 6

"Forgiveness is essentially God's way of removing the great obstacle to our fellowship with him. By canceling our sin and paying for it with the death of his own Son, God opens the way for us to see him and know him and enjoy him forever. Seeing and savoring him is the goal of forgiveness. Soul-satisfying fellowship with our Father is the aim of the cross. If we love being forgiven for other reasons alone, we are not forgiven, and we will waste our lives." p. 100-101 This paragraph pretty much sums up the whole chapter pretty well. Meditate on it. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and make changes where necessary.

It is so easy to become a part of a church, read the Bible, get in a small group, have some friends, give money, do volunteer work and feel like you have arrived somewhere. It is quite scary how simple it is to learn all the behaviors of a spirit filled person but inside be a wasteland churning with despair. If you have not really taken up your cross and followed Him:Him=Jesus (not a preacher, small group leader, mentor, friend, denomination, or theological viewpoint), you have have not really chosen God. You may have chosen a new life, safety in the afterlife, a better marriage, obedient kids, friends, community, peace and the list goes on. These things are wonderful and part of the package but they are just the wrapping paper. The gift is adoption into the family of God.

If we mistake earthly pleasantries for a life filled with God's presence, we will be discouraged and unsatisfied and constantly searching for something to fill the void.

Jesus said that he came so that we would have life to the full. Unfortunately, we spoiled Americans think that means we get to lead a cushy life, accepting Christ's utmost sacrifice but not giving anything of our own. We have become consumers of the christian lifestyle to make us better parents, spouses, leaders but we have forsaken our first love, which is Christ, in order to be kept busy, have fun and receive rewards. It is a tragedy when I hear someone who loves the church, church work and church people but has little to say of the savior himself. 

I can honestly say that I grew up in the church. I went to church wednesday night, sunday am and pm, youth groups, took classes, got baptized but there was little faith in me. It took years for me to see that I had accepted God on my terms, in my way and as I saw fit. It was no wonder that I never grew in my faith. It wasn't until I was at my wits end. I had done everything I knew how and I was a mess. I was empty but you wouldn't have known it. I wasn't going to tell anyone. Until, a stranger told me his story on my front lawn. It was powerful and compelling. I wanted that kind of relationship with God that would make the world look different though nothing but me had changed. Thank you God for Jerry and using him to change my heart and be made new in your forgiveness like I never knew was possible.

Do not spend one more day wasting your life without God. If you have this amazing Savior, do something about it. Be "Jerry" to your neighbors and friends. Live boldly the love that has been given to you. Don't waste your life on yourself; share it!

Take some time and write out a script. How would you tell someone a very personal part of your faith that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt was God working in an event or series of events that changed your life or how you see life.