Live Life Differently

A verse was shared at church on Sunday that keeps popping up throughout the week in my studies. Its 2 Corinthians 5:14-17:

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 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. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone, the new is here!”

A couple of phrases in this passage have really caught my attention. When they are summarized they are; “Christ’s love compels us as new creations to see life and people from a Godly point of view.” As believer’s we now live life differently, we live it for Christ because of the love He freely gives us.

As I was reading back through the titles of the blogs this week it was very interesting to see where God was leading me. The underlying theme He gave me was “Going deeper,” and the blog titles so far have been;

• I Want to See
• God Said No
• Even if
• Living Life Differently
• Knowing Jesus

To summarize those blogs would be; I see life from a human perspective and He wants me to see through His point of view. Sometimes that means He will say no, but even if He does; He is still God. All knowing and all loving. As a believer I need to live life differently because I know that Jesus has shown me a better way and it all comes down to loving God and loving people.

I looked up the meaning of compel and it means a powerful influence. Christ’s love is a powerful influence in us that drives us to be more like Him. “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) Loving people who may not love us back is difficult. Loving our enemies is even more difficult. But Jesus did both when He died on the cross proving that we could love those we think are unlovable.

Jesus said that when we love one another, that’s when the world will know that we are His disciples. When we live life differently not only in the way we love people, but the way we respond to God’s leading, the people around us notice.

A friend of mine has an adult daughter that has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. With social media you see updates instantly and I am in awe with every post at their faith and boldness. I’m sure they prayed and asked that this trial would pass by them and that the diagnosis was like hearing a “no” from God. But God is with them every step of the way and they are bringing glory to Him as they trust Him for the outcome and strength to face each new day. They are living life differently.

My co-worker’s husband has recently had some job changes which resulted in a much lower income. Together they prayed for direction and God gave them wisdom to adjust their budget which would require them to make some sacrifices. She mentioned the other day that they are spending more time together on walks and talking since other forms of entertainment have been cut from their budget. She said she’s grateful for the change even if it came about from a loss of income. They are living life differently.

Knowing Jesus and His character changes everything. When trials come, He will show us a better way to handle them using Godly perspective. We need to remember that His “No,” is said with love. He will give us the strength and confidence to face the storms and while they are raging, He shows us how to live life differently as His new creation.

My prayer

Father, thank you for a new life in You. It really is better than life without You. I know You are teaching me about Godly perspective and I pray that I will understand and begin to live life differently. To see people as Your sons and daughters. To see struggles and trials as opportunities to trust You in new ways and to bring glory to You. To know that no matter what, You love me and You are my God, My Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

Isaiah 55: 8-9

” For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Quote

“When you are experiencing the challenges of life, perspective is everything.” – Joni Eareckson Tada