All or Nothing

 

All or nothing.

There is no in between; no fence riding, lukewarm isn’t an option.

I wholeheartedly want to serve God.

 

I want to live my life according to His word and not just the parts that suit me.

Romans 12:2 says “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. “

To be transformed and renewed; by the very definition, means to be changed dramatically and to begin again. Living according to God’s word requires us to change, it requires a new birth.

Our hearts change. Our thoughts change. Our desires change.

From the inside out we are renewed and given a new beginning. In our fresh start, we are to “walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.” We are to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Romans 13:13-14  We must entirely belong to the Lord and not allow our flesh to lead us to sinful actions.

Living according to God’s word, doesn’t start and stop at the 10 Commandments. Any reasonable person, whether they know God or not, can uphold the 10 Commandments. This is just a beginning, a scratch on the surface.

Wholeheartedly I want to serve God; in my marriage, as a mother, in the church, in the work place and in my friendships.

God’s word provides instruction for all aspects of our life. As a wife, I am meant to be submissive. I am to love my husband, respect him, and build him up. I should be his treasure and blessing.  As a mother, I am to dedicate my children to the Lord and bring them up knowing His ways; I am, also, to be a blessing to my children. In the church, work place, friendships; I am to be an example of God’s grace and love.  “As long as I am in the world, I am to be the light of the world.” John 9:5

The more roles (wife, mother, friend, ect) we take on the more we must set aside our personal desires and seek God’s word and will for our lives. With each role, a little more is required.  We can’t pick and chose what we like, what is comfortable.  Living for God is about stepping out of our comfort zone and serving Him and others even when it is difficult. It is when we are willing to go to these places that we find peace, blessings, grace and purpose for our lives.

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better then himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interest of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and become obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”  Philippians 2:3-8

 I can’t say I am living according to the Gospel if I am doing nothing for others, if I think only of myself. I can’t pick out the parts that are simple and comfortable.  It is ALL or nothing.

Wholeheartedly, I want to serve God. I will be a servant.
His servant.