For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. Romans 14:8
In this one verse, there's a vast area of wisdom we can glean from, if it's broken down. I'll unpack some of it. Commentaries and studies from scholars can be read that would take weeks to go into-this is just a short excerpt, of some of what I've found within it.
1. A Christian does not live to please just himself, but to please the Lord. This is to be our chief goal in life.
2. In pleasing the Lord, we are to seek His will, and be willing to go forth, and put the hand to the plow, and begin the work. The tools we use, aren't the important issue-it's picking up what we have, and using it for the calling He's given us. Moses started with a rod-a stick. Often times, people will put more expectations on us, than God does, to fulfill His will, and what He's called us to do. It's best to learn the voice of the Lord, and follow Him.
3. Surrender is the key word-many start out with great gusto, and high expectations. Then comes waves of adversity, obstacles, we make mistakes, go in the wrong directions, and may have to back up, or change course in our work, and discouragement can bog us down. Then surrender turns into an inward struggle-and questions arise "is this really God's will, or my own?" The only way to get this answered-is by prayer and dialogue with God, and honesty with Him. He's promised if we seek Him with our whole heart, we will find Him.
4. Doing the will of the Lord is a life long process of dying to self, and rising with Him, in newness of life-and moving on again, with the focus on Christ as we go. Surrender is as Jesus' describes-"My sheep hear my voice, and follow me."
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
5. We come to know in practical terms, that our life comes from Him, and springs up from His death and resurrection-we enthrone Him as Lord whether we be living, or dead. This, is total surrender.
The short devotion below, expounds more on this point.
Lorna Couillard
1. A Christian does not live to please just himself, but to please the Lord. This is to be our chief goal in life.
2. In pleasing the Lord, we are to seek His will, and be willing to go forth, and put the hand to the plow, and begin the work. The tools we use, aren't the important issue-it's picking up what we have, and using it for the calling He's given us. Moses started with a rod-a stick. Often times, people will put more expectations on us, than God does, to fulfill His will, and what He's called us to do. It's best to learn the voice of the Lord, and follow Him.
3. Surrender is the key word-many start out with great gusto, and high expectations. Then comes waves of adversity, obstacles, we make mistakes, go in the wrong directions, and may have to back up, or change course in our work, and discouragement can bog us down. Then surrender turns into an inward struggle-and questions arise "is this really God's will, or my own?" The only way to get this answered-is by prayer and dialogue with God, and honesty with Him. He's promised if we seek Him with our whole heart, we will find Him.
4. Doing the will of the Lord is a life long process of dying to self, and rising with Him, in newness of life-and moving on again, with the focus on Christ as we go. Surrender is as Jesus' describes-"My sheep hear my voice, and follow me."
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
5. We come to know in practical terms, that our life comes from Him, and springs up from His death and resurrection-we enthrone Him as Lord whether we be living, or dead. This, is total surrender.
The short devotion below, expounds more on this point.
Lorna Couillard
CONSIDERATION TOWARD BRETHREN
The weak conscience needs further instruction. It is anemic and requires the hilltop, with its further view and bracing air; but in the meantime its owner must be guided by its promptings. A man must not take a certain course merely because others do so, unless he can justify their bolder faith and larger freedom. By thought and prayer and the study of God’s Word, conscience becomes educated and strengthened, and ceases to worry as to whether we should be vegetarian or not; whether we should observe saints’ days, or adopt a specific method of observing the Sabbath. Some people are constantly wondering and questioning about such things, as though their eternal salvation depended on minute observances.
Such would have found but scant comfort from the Apostle. He would have said, “Do the best you know, and when you have once adopted a certain method of life, follow it humbly, until some wider view is opened before you by the Spirit of God.” The main principle for us all is to live and die to please our Lord. He is our Master, and it will be for Him to allot our rewards. In the meantime let us not judge one another, but live in love, leaving each to work out the plan of his own life as his Master directs. F.B. Meyer
Such would have found but scant comfort from the Apostle. He would have said, “Do the best you know, and when you have once adopted a certain method of life, follow it humbly, until some wider view is opened before you by the Spirit of God.” The main principle for us all is to live and die to please our Lord. He is our Master, and it will be for Him to allot our rewards. In the meantime let us not judge one another, but live in love, leaving each to work out the plan of his own life as his Master directs. F.B. Meyer
