October 15, 2023
“Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God’s action in them find that God’s Spirit is in them, living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life.” Romans 8:5-6 (MSG)
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us fromthe love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 (NRSV)
Are you living life on God’s terms? The only terms that truly matter. A life that is overflowing, vibrant quality of life that is only made available in Christ!
Dr. Fredericka Jackson (affectionally known as Dr. J.) led our prayer group session on Friday morning, and she shared a powerful message on living life on God’s terms from the 8th chapter of Romans – one of my favorite chapters. It left each of us doing some self- examination. We as Believers in Christ embrace the life that flows from the living Father through His Son Jesus Christ into a world thirsting for “real” life. We are to live for God in the very presence of sin. As Believers, sin is not to dictate our life’s program because of the work of the Holy Spirit in our sanctification as we walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Roman chapter 8 is a noteworthy chapter in the New Testament. It is often regarded as one of the most profound and inspirational passages in the Bible, as it explores several key theological and spiritual themes i.e., no condemnation for those who are in Christ, life in the Spirit, Believers are adopted and are heirs of Christ, God’s unconditional love and Beliver’s eternal security.
Living life on God’s Terms is a life of profound faith in God, surrendering our will and desires to align with God’s will and plan. It is a life of trusting in God’s wisdom which surpasses all human understanding. Amid life’s temptations, failures, disappointments, uncertainties, and sufferings, will not separate us from the love of God that is in Christ our Lord.
The Greek word for “life” is Zoe. In classical Greek this word was used for life in general. There are a few examples of this meaning in the New Testament found in Acts 17:25; James 4:14: and Revelation 16:3. However in all other instances the word was used to designate the divine, eternal life – the life in God. This is life in Jesus made available to all who believe in the Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
We are born with the natural life-called psuche in Greek (translated “soul,” “personality,” or “life”) which do not possess ‘eternal life.’ Life in Christ, eternal life can be received only by believing in the one who possesses the Zoe-life, namely, Jesus Christ.
Living Life on God’s Terms is centering your life on God which allows you to become more like Him. You began to talk about Him, think about Him, dream about Him, and find a way to spend more and more time with Him. You choose to obey His commands out of love and honor for God, not from fear of being caught in sin. The greatest desire of living life on God’s terms is a desire to please Him and grow to be more like Him. Your life mimics the words penned by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:10: “I want to know Christ, yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.” The primary aim of a life devoted to God is a life lived to glorify God.
A life lived on God’s terms should not be confused with a religion-centered life. The Pharisees in Jesus’ day were religious. They ate, drank, and slept the Law. They could spout-out rules, codes, and judgments, but Jesus had harsh rebuke for them. They were Law-centered but not love-centered, and it made all the difference as noted in Matthew 23:25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. (NRSV) Also in Luke 11:42-44 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honor in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without realizing it.” (NRSV)
A religion-centered life strives for supremacy, attention, and glory based upon performance. This life keeps score and judges itself and others by self-made standards. The life centered in Christ – living life on God terms rest in the finished work of Jesus on their behalf and yearn for holiness as a means of staying close to Him noted in Hebrews 12:14.
The Holy Spirit helps Believers in their weakness, interceding for them even when they do not know how to pray. This emphasizes the Spirit’s role in deepening the Believer’s relationship with God and aiding in our spiritual journey.
Living Life on God’s Terms is a Life that:
♥ has been made new in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)
♥ love and obeys the Word of God
♥ surrenders their own will and align with God’s will
♥ has restored relationship with God
♥ gets to know God
♥ brings glory to God
♥ bears spiritual fruit
♥ worships God in spirit and in truth
♥ that has a profound sense of purpose and meaning
♥ journey of spiritual growth and self-improvement
♥ that has a profound sense of purpose and meaning.
♥ understands the importance of living in accordance with God’s terms.
♥ sees life on earth as a temporary stage in an eternal journey
♥ shares the gospel to those who do not know the Jesus as Savior and Lord
♥ accepts trials as part of God’s plan that helps to find peace and strength in difficult times.
♥ interpret challenges and hardships as tests from God, meant to strengthen their faith and character
HEART CHALLENGE: God never asked us to live a perfect life. No one has lived a perfect life except Jesus as noted in Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.” (NRSV) No matter how hard you try you will stumble, fall, sin, and make fleshly decisions in moments of weakness as noted in 1 John 1:8-10 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and His Word is not in us.” (NRSV) However, living a life on Christ’s terms cannot persist in living in disharmony with God – does not practice sin and will quickly confess sin and be restored to fellowship with God.
This process of living in continual harmony with God is called sanctification. It is a lifelong process by which God makes us more like Jesus noted in Romans 8:29, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.” and Hebrews 12:14 “Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (NRSV)
A SURRENDERED
HEART: A surrendered life and one living on God’s terms is one that you are willing to lose your life for the sake of the gospel, not because our life is useless, but because nothing-not even life itself-can compare to what we gain with Christ. Jesus wants us to choose to follow him rather than to lead a life of sin and self-satisfaction. He wants us to stop trying to control our own destiny and to let Him direct us. This makes good sense because Christ, as the Creator, knows better than we do what real life is about.
FATHER GOD: Thank You for Your Word that instructs us on how to life on Your terms. Help us to always represent You well, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen!
Living life on God’s terms is living in light of eternity which makes LIFE VALUABLE. Realizing that life is short helps us use the little time we have more wisely, and for our eternal good. Take time to number your days by asking yourself, what do I want to see happen in my life before I die? What small step could I take toward that purpose today?