Proverbs 30:11-14 describe a generation whose motivation is selfish. They are all about leading their own lives, justifying their actions, exalting themselves, and satisfying their own desires. It’s easy for us to point to people in our culture and identify these godless characteristics in their lives. It’s not so easy for us to identify those same problems in our lives, but they’re there nonetheless. And this isn’t necessarily a “generation” problem — it’s a human problem. Everybody lives selfishly. We’re wired to care about us, especially if it seems like no one else cares about us.
But for the Christian, life isn’t about us anymore. Colossians 3:1-2 calls on us to seek out heavenly, spiritual things, things that are on the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:1-5). The word “affection” in verse 2 can also mean your “mind.” Think about it. If you are affectionate towards something or someone, they’re probably on your mind a lot. Is Jesus and His cause on your mind a lot? Or does He only cross your mind every once in a while, maybe during a sermon or that quick 10-minute reading of your Bible that you call your devotions?
Later in the same chapter of Colossians, verse 17, God tells us that “whatever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Our lives must be all about Jesus. Jesus has to be the reason you get up in the morning. He has to be the reason you go to work. He has to be the reason you hang out with your friends and He has to be the reason you “do your devotions” and go to church.
Whatever you’re doing in your life right now, whatever your summer days are filled with, is it all about Jesus? Are you doing what you do “as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Col. 3:23)? Is Jesus just a “to-do” item on your list, or does He write your to-do list? Do you ever think to ask Him for His opinion concerning your daily actions? God killed King Saul because he “enquired not of the Lord” (I Chron. 10:14), but He richly rewarded King David because he did (1 Chron. 14:10, 14).
Life isn’t worth living if it’s not lived for and with our Savior. He saved us from so much more than we will ever know, and here on earth we will never understand the fullness of redemption. Salvation has completely transformed us, yet we so often still live as sinners instead of victors. We have so much available to us, if only we would live all in for Christ. Let’s be young people who know the Bible, who live abundant lives that are all about Jesus.
Victoria White is a graduate of Baptist College of Ministry and a member of Falls Baptist Church in Menomonee Falls, WI. She has a burden for young people to understand the Bible and to live for God in this world. She has 6 siblings and lives in Germantown, WI.
