Nothing To Lose

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” -Jesus 

(Mark 8:35)

Do I live differently because I'm a Christian?

This is the question I've been wrestling with lately. Ya, my life does look different because I know Christ. I don't get drunk, I watch my tongue, I go to church, pray, read my bible, I strive to love people, etc. But do I really live as if I have nothing to lose?

I say I believe that God's opinion of me is the only one that matters.

I say I believe that Christ died for my sins and that through Him I have been adopted into God's family.  

I say that I believe that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”(Rom 8:28) 

I say I believe that God is all powerful and completely in control of this world. 

And the truth is, I do believe these things. But sometimes... I forget.

In those real life, everyday storms I sometimes let myself forget these truths. In those moments of stress about what people think of me, anxiety over the obstacles I know I'll face the next day, fear of sharing my faith, or guilt about a temptation I've given in to, I don't always live like I am a chosen child of God.

I think that the reason we sometimes live as if Christ is not our sufficient Saviour is because we let our hearts forget. 

We let our hearts forget how much God loves us (John 3:16), and what Christ did for us on the cross. We forget who God is, and we forget His promises for us. 

We forget that He has chosen us and adopted us, and has a plan for each of us. 

We forget that we can't do things by our own effort, because they always fail (John 15:5). And it's only by God's strength, by letting Christ work in and through us by the Holy Spirit, that we can live as if we have nothing to lose.

This is the life we're called to. Living in complete abandonment to our great God. 

We're called to stop worrying about what people think of us, or what we can and can't do by our own effort. 

We're called to stop striving to be better, but instead rest in what Christ has already done on the cross. 

We're called to give up our selfish 'me-centred' lives and instead live everyday for the glory of God.

Let's not forget whose we are. Let's not forget who God is.

Let's remind our hearts daily of the truths that we say we believe. Because only then will we live like we really believe them. 

What truth do you have to remind yourself of today? Let us know in the comments below.