Most Christians have inspirational favorite verses. You know things like Philippians 4:13, which says,
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Or Jeremiah 29:11, which says,
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
Aside from knowing God, one of the most amazing gifts God has given to me is my friendship with Walt Henrichsen, who served as my spiritual mentor for 16 years, until his passing. I know of no other individual like him. His life verse was Jeremiah 39:18, which says,
“… thy life shall be a prey unto thee…”
This is not exactly a very encouraging verse. In fact, it’s kinda discouraging. But as you read through the Bible you see the theme of being a slave of God.
Yes, I use the word “slave”. Paul calls himself a slave of God also. It’s just that most Bible translators prefer the term “servant of God” when Paul refers to himself. But “slave” is a better translation for the Greek word “doulos” because it better encapsulates what God expects of those who follow Him.
You see, a slave doesn’t have any rights. A slave can’t just do whatever he wants. A slave is owned. A slave has a master. A slave does not do his own bidding. A slave does his master’s bidding.
And you see it in the Bible. Those who are totally in for God did not care for fame or fortune. (This is not to say that if you’re famous or rich that you are not in the center of God’s will for you). The apostles knowingly took on abuse to proclaim the truth. They knew the charge that God gave them and went out with 100% gusto. This resulted in beatings, injuries, jail time, isolation, loneliness, and death. There was no fame or fortune in it for these guys.
God expects the same tenacity in following Him as the apostles demonstrated. And I don’t necessarily mean you need to go to City Hall and do open air preaching (but if that’s what God will have you do, do it). Rather, it can look different for different people. Doing God’s will will exhaust you. There is no shortage of people who have needs, who want to be heard and served.
And frankly, most Christians don’t want to be inconvenienced to this degree. Most Christians don’t want to be a slave to God. Most Christians just want to serve turkey to homeless on Thanksgiving so they can post a photo on social media and get people to think that they are so amazing. Everyone has a certain level of commitment to the things of God.
I was talking to a friend from East Asia and she went to church her whole life, but she didn’t want to give God full reign over her life. When I asked why she said, “Because God might ask me to do something I don’t want to do. I just want to enjoy my life, make some money, have some fun.” I appreciate her honesty and she correctly identified what was holding her back. She didn’t mind going to church weekly and even being a part of her church group’s activities, but that was the extent she wanted.
Some people just want to commit 10% of their lives to God so that they can do whatever they want with the other 90%. Other people are willing to do 50% and so on. But God does expect 100% from those who claim to be His.
Matthew 16:24 says,
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
So it’s pretty clear what God wants. To deny yourself simply means that you don’t have your own will anymore, but the will of God in your life. Taking up your cross… well, that’s like a death sentence because the cross represented death. In this case, death to yourself, all your wants and desires. Now this is not to say it’s wrong to have a desire like a nice car or a spouse or a nice house, etc. Nothing wrong with that at all. But you’re only willing to take it up if God wills it.
And of course, nobody is 100% all the time. Well, at least I’ll speak for myself. I know that I preach a much better sermon than I live. But that’s what we’re striving for.
A logical question one might ask is, “What difference will it make if I’m 10% for God or 100%?” Great question. It matters quite a bit. Anything less than 100% might raise the question if you really belong to God. In other words, your salvation may be at stake. Now, I’m not saying that you are saved by works. But genuine faith is followed by works. But if you have little works or no works to show forth, there’s a possibility that you didn’t really trust God to begin with.
Even if you do belong to God, this still matters because everyone will be judged individually and eternal rewards will be awarded based on faithfulness to opportunity. And this will affect the quality of your life in eternity. In other words, heaven won’t be the same for everyone. Some will have greater rewards than others and it all depends on what degree you make yourself a slave to God.
So hopefully, that’s motivating enough for you to give it your all. In the end, you’ll be glad you did.