Mark Rogers

2Ti 1:8-9 therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, (NASB)

The apostle Paul stated in his first letter to the Corinthians, that he did “…..all things for the sake of the gospel.” In reading his letters, it is easily determined that there was nothing he did not give up for the cause of Christ. To draw people to the cross he “became all things to all men” that he could by all means “save some”. His whole life illustrated a picture of self sacrifice that is only equalled today by those working in the darkest corners of the earth in their determination to take Christ into all the world.

In America, we like choices. Choices about what we do, where we go, what we eat, which toys fit us best, what clothes to wear, where to live……choices. Now it’s obviously a blessing to live in a free country where we have a multitude of choices. But it’s not such a great benefit when we understand that attitude carries over to our obligations to God as Christians. Because He hasn’t given us choices. Oh…we think He has. Our service is based on what we have to do, where we have to go, what toys……….

It rubs most Americans, specifically American Christians wrong to tell them they don’t have a “choice” about anything. Consequently, we find that when people are asked to serve in any area in our local church, most often if people acquiesce at all, it is usually under very specific conditions. “Well, yes, I’ll serve….on the first and third weekends every month, when my golf team is not in a tournament, when my kids  are not playing traveling ball, when the weather’s not too bad, when it’s not my birthday, when my relatives aren’t in town, when I’m not too tired, when I’m not having a baby, building a house, working on a project, or going on vacation, except during dear season, football season and basketball season…..I’ll be there.” I’ve come to believe that people have babies and build  houses so they won’t feel obligated to serve.

If you’re afraid of the reality of an obligation to serve God with your whole life, you better click out of here now. There is no provision for putting conditions on serving God. Jesus dealt with every kind of excuse in people who made grand claims that they would “follow Him” only to find that when pressed under the piercing gaze of the Son of God, they went away in shame knowing that He had seen the truth of their heart.

Here’s the bottom line to the Christian life and obligation to serve God:

Mat 10:37-39 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.“He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.

Scripture leaves no doubt that God has not given us a choice whether to serve Him or not. And it’s frightening, in light of the statement above, how few people are willing to even give up a few hours a week to serve. When “being worthy” of Christ is determined by taking up our cross and following Him, how do we measure up? How many of us can claim we are even willing to be slightly inconvenienced to serve?

God has given every Christian gifts to use in His service. He has demanded that they use them without condition and without consideration of their needs first. But Life on Purpose will lay out, not only a clear understanding of the obligation to serve God, but how we in America can do it every day in everything that we do. We can do it by doing it ……. on purpose.

Join me for the journey…….or not.