Self Preservation

Self Preservation

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:15 NIV

I read a story about a famous and very rich man. He was known for being innovative, artistic, and for living life on his own terms. Near the end of his life he gave a commencement speech to a group of college graduates. He left these words, "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living the results of other peoples thinking." He said these things as if living the life of another infuriated him. And I don't think he is alone in his opinion. I think it is rare to meet a person that lives their life for the purpose of others. I think it is uncommon to meet someone that is altruistic. The fact is that we like living by our own rules. Our lives are our own, to do what we want, when we want, damn the consequences. That is the human way to live. Self preservation is what drives humanity; it is what drives each of us.

The people that follow God live differently. Their lives are an offering to God, and that is a good thing. The love of Christ compels them to abandon the old life of self indulgence in favor of a life lived out for Christ. When we gain a better understanding of God's love for us, when we respond to the leading of God's Holy Spirit, we become a conduit of God's love into this world and for each other. The Bible says that anyone who makes it his object to keep his own life safe, will lose it; but whoever loses his life will preserve it (Luke 17:33). All of these things sound exactly like living the results of God’s thoughts.

Man says that we live for self. And to a certain extent, this is true. Caring for (and being true to) yourself and your family is one of the highest forms of honoring God. But it is important to remember that your life stopped being yours at the cross. When God took ownership, He revealed to us that your life is safe only when we loose it in Him.