Everyone is susceptible to being shaped by the many influences that come from the world. These include the most significant relationships we have—personal experiences, what we read and hear from printed and electronic media, favorite celebrities, role models, mentors, friends, talking points from causes we support, and so much more. It would be well if each of us were to examine the most important influences and to what extent they have shaped our worldview, attitudes, biases, fears, and the character traits and habits we have embraced. Whether we realize it or not, we have prioritized these influences. What have we allowed to mold us into the people we have become? What would we desire to have as the highest level of power in our lives?
Examining this further raises the spiritual question of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. What does it mean when a Christian says, “I have given my life to Jesus”? Does it mean that we have accepted a specific list of theological propositions and beliefs? Does it mean that our Christian commitment is just one of our priorities—one among many that contribute to compartmentalizing our life? We have our spiritual life, our professional life, our family life, our recreational life, even our political life, all with a different set of principles, attitudes, and agendas that guide us, and “never the twain shall meet.” Different realms for different purposes. If so, then we miss the great blessing of genuinely being a disciple of Jesus.
We Christians declare that Jesus is the Lord of all of life. That is, He has sovereignty over every aspect of our life—what we think, what we do, the decisions we make, our relationships, our hopes and dreams—He has sovereignty over every aspect of life.
The Christian life is more than following a list of “do’s and don’ts.” It is the result of our relationship with Jesus Christ and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. With Jesus as the Lord of our lives, our relationship with Him is a comprehensive transformational reality shaping who we are. The reality that emerges from this relationship—the life that we live out daily—is due to who we are, which determines what we do and how we do it.
The most important relationship we will ever have is with Jesus. If He is the highest priority in our lives, everything else will naturally fall into its proper perspective.
For instance, my dear wife Nanette knows that she will always be second in my life because Jesus is first. As a result, she rejoices because she knows the kind of husband she has! If children understand that they are not first but that Jesus is and He shapes their parents’ marriage, they will experience the kind of family life they so desperately need. If employees know that their boss or supervisor puts Jesus first—before business, and even before themselves—they know the kind of work environment to expect, and as a result it will be a pleasure to come to work each day. You see, keeping Jesus as the highest priority in life enables us to love others, maintain the highest level of integrity and righteousness, avoid idolatry, naturally be salt and light, and love others in ways that we never could on our own.
One of my favorite hymns is Have Thine Own Way, Lord! by Adelaide A. Pollard. The first and last stanzas are as follows:
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter; I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will, while I am waiting yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me!
This beautiful hymn captures these truths perfectly! I pray that all of us will be willing to seek and submit to the Holy Spirit so that He can help us grow more and more into the likeness of our Savior and Master. I pray that other people will see living in us, the disciples of Jesus, all His humility, grace, peace, and love. In this way, we can be Jesus’ instruments in this troubled world and glorify Him in all that we are and in all that we do!
by Pastor Steven Grant
