3.5.15 "WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ME?—WHO CARES? WHAT DOES GOD THINK OF ME?"
1 Peter 4:5-7New International Version (NIV) 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
I many times worry about what others think about me- what I say, what I do or will do. I dwell on how is it going to make me look? What are they going to say about me to others? What will they think about this blog? Why didn’t anyone comment on this blog? Did I miss the point? Did it not resonate with them? Well, you get the idea.
Therein lies the problem. I worry, people worry about other people. I try not to offend others. I try to please everyone else when, in fact the ONLY ONE I should be worrying about pleasing is GOD!
Yes people judge me every day. And I am sure that I don’t live up to their expectations. But the ONLY ONE that I really need to worry about is the ONE TRUE JUDGE-OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. Do I live up to God’s expectations? My body will die, but did I “live according to God in regard to the spirit”?
Christ will return to judge everyone alive and those that have died. God will give eternal life to all that believe and trust Jesus. God saves each of us from our sins because Jesus died for our sins. That is what I need to be concerned about. By God’s grace, I am saved through my faith and my actions.
Yes I need to worry less about what others think. I need to pray more that I might be a better Christian and that I might be a better disciple, bringing others to Christ. It won’t happen by osmosis or by just coming to church every Sunday. I have to intentionally pray and act. How can I be a better Christian? How can I be a better disciple? That is what I need to worry about-nothing else matters.
Lord Jesus please help me to worry less about things of this world. Please help me to be a better Christian and a better Disciple. Help me to live intentionally according to Your Plan and Your Spirit. Amen
Jerry