Live for God or in Jesus

I ask myself a question about today's sermon: "Do I live for God or in Jesus?" The answer to these words has changed my life and it can change your life too. It is a matter of whether I try to live completely lawfully for God or if I accept God's unconditional grace as an undeserved gift from Jesus. To put it clearly, - I live in, with and through Jesus. It is impossible to preach all aspects of grace in this one sermon. So I go to the core of the message:

Ephesians 2,5-6 Hope for All «He decided back then that we should become his own children through Jesus Christ. This was his plan and he liked it that way. All of this is to celebrate God's glorious, undeserved goodness that we have experienced through his beloved Son. with Christ we are made alive - by grace you are saved -; and he raised us up with him and appointed us with him in heaven through Christ Jesus."

My performance doesn't count

The greatest gift God had given his people Israel in the old covenant was to give the people the law through Moses. But no one managed to keep this law perfectly except Jesus. God was always concerned with a love relationship with his people, but unfortunately only a few people in the old covenant experienced and understood this.

That is why the new covenant is a total change that Jesus gave to people. Jesus gives his community unrestricted access to God. Thanks to his grace, I live in a living relationship with and in Jesus Christ. He left heaven and was born on earth as God and man and lived among us. During his life he completely fulfilled the law and did not miss a single point until he put an end to the old law covenant through his death and resurrection. Jesus is the all-important person in my life. I have accepted him as my greatest gift, as Lord, and am grateful that I no longer have to struggle with the commandments and prohibitions of the old covenant.

Most of us have experienced this, consciously or unconsciously, of living legally. I, too, believed that literal, unconditional obedience was an expression of my devotion to please God. I tried to live my life by the rules of the old covenant. And further, to do everything for God, until Almighty God showed me through his grace: "There is no one righteous, not even one" - except Jesus, our greatest gift! My own performance with all the trimmings could never be enough for Jesus, because what counts is what he has accomplished for me. I received his gift of grace to live in Jesus. Even believing in Jesus is a gift from God. I can accept faith and through it also Jesus, the greatest gift of God's grace.

To live in Jesus is a decision of great consequence

I realized that it depends on me. How do I believe in Jesus? I can choose to listen to him and do what he says because my beliefs determine my actions. Either way, it has consequences for me:

Ephesians 2,1-3 Hope for All «But what was your life like before? You disobeyed God and wanted nothing to do with him. In his eyes you were dead. You lived as is customary in this world and were enslaved to Satan, who exercises his power between heaven and earth. His evil spirit still dominates the lives of all people who disobey God. We used to be one of them, back when we selfishly wanted to determine our own lives. We have given in to the passions and temptations of our old nature, and like all other people we have been exposed to the wrath of God."

This shows me: Keeping the commandments of the old covenant exactly does not create a personal relationship with God. Rather, they separated me from him because my attitude was based on my own contribution. The penalty for sin remained the same: death and he left me in a hopeless position. Words of hope now follow:

Ephesians 2,4-9 Hope for All «But God's mercy is great. Because of our sins, we were dead in God's eyes. But he loved us so much that he gave us new life in Christ. Always remember: you owe this salvation solely to the grace of God. He raised us from death with Christ, and through union with Christ we have already received our place in the heavenly world. In the love that he has shown us in Jesus Christ, God wants to show the overwhelming greatness of his grace for all time. For it was only through his undeserved kindness that you were saved from death. This has happened because you believe in Jesus Christ. It is a gift from God and not your own work. A person cannot contribute anything through their own efforts. That's why no one can be proud of their good deeds."

I have seen that faith in Jesus is a gift from God that I have received undeservedly. I was absolutely dead because by identity I was a sinner and I was sinning. But because I was allowed to accept Jesus as my Redeemer, Savior and Lord, I was crucified with him. All of my sins that I have ever charged and will commit are forgiven through him. That is the refreshing, clearing message. Death is no longer entitled to me. I have a completely new identity in Jesus. The legal person Toni is and will remain dead, even if, as you can see, despite his age, he walks around lively and lively.

Live in grace (in Jesus).

I live with, through and in Jesus or as Paul says precisely:

Galatians 2,19-21 Hope for All «By the law I was condemned to death. So now I am dead to the law that I may live to God. My old life died with Christ on the cross. Therefore it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me! I live my temporary life on this earth by faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me. I do not reject this undeserved gift from God - in complete contrast to Christians who still want to adhere to the demands of the law. For if we could be accepted by God by obeying the law, then Christ would not have had to die."

By grace I am saved, by grace God raised me and I am installed in heaven with Christ Jesus. There is nothing I can boast about except that I am loved by and live in the Triune God. I owe my life to Jesus. He did everything that was necessary for my life to be crowned with success in him. Step by step I realize more and more that it makes a huge difference whether I say: I live for God or whether Jesus is my life. To be one with the holy God, that changes my life fundamentally, because I no longer determine my life, but let Jesus live through me. I underline this with the following verses.

1. Corinthians 3,16  “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”

I am now an abode of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, it is a new covenant privilege. This applies whether I am aware of it or remain unconscious: Whether I sleep or work, Jesus lives in me. When I experience the wonderful creation on a snowshoe hike, God is in me and makes every moment a treasure. There is always space free to let Jesus guide me and give me presents. I am allowed to be the temple of God in motion and enjoy the most intimate relationship with Jesus.

Since he lives in me, I don't need to be afraid of not meeting God's vision. Even if I fall as his justified son, he will help me up. But this doesn't just apply to me. Jesus fought the battle against Satan and won with and for us. After his fight with Satan, he figuratively wipes the sawdust off my shoulders, as when swinging. He has paid off all our guilt once and for all, his sacrifice is enough for all people to live reconciled with him.

John 15,5  «I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him bears much fruit; because without me you can do nothing"

I may be connected to Jesus like a grape on the vine. Through him I get everything I need to live. In addition, I can talk to Jesus about all my life questions, because he knows me inside out and knows where I need help. He is not alarmed at any of my thoughts and does not judge me for any of my missteps. I confess my guilt to him, which in spite of my death I do not sin, as his friend and brother call upon me. I know he forgave her. My identity as a sinner is the old story, now I am a new creature and live in Jesus. To live like this is really fun, even fun, because there is no longer any separating handicap.

The second part of the sentence shows me that without Jesus I can't do anything. I cannot live without Jesus. I trust God that he calls everyone so that he hears or will hear him. When and how this happens is in his authority. Jesus explains to me that all of my good words and even my best works do absolutely nothing to keep me alive. He commands me to pay attention to what he would like to say to me alone or through my dear neighbors. He gave me my neighbors for this purpose.

I compare us with the disciples who ran from Jerusalem to Emmaus at that time. They had previously experienced difficult days because of the crucifixion of Jesus and talked about them on the way home. A stranger, it was Jesus, ran with them and explained what was written about him in the scriptures. But it didn't make them any smarter. They only recognized him at home while breaking bread. Through this incident they gained insight into Jesus. It fell from their eyes like scales. Jesus lives - he is the Savior. Are there still such eye openers today? I think so.

You may find that the sermon, “Live for God or in Jesus”, is challenging. Then you will have a good opportunity to discuss this with Jesus. He loves intimate conversations very much and is happy to show you how life is one of the greatest miracles in him. He fills your life with grace. Jesus in you is your greatest gift.

by Toni Püntener