As we again look at the concept of what it means to be a follower of Christ, there must be a reason to follow. There is no question that as a follower we die to self ( Romans 6:3), live a crucified life (Galatians 2:20), deny himself (Matthew 16:24) and lose his life (Mark 8:35) to save it. But, there is the point, or should I say a holy motive. We lose our lives in Christ to save our lives. And this is much more than just from the consequences of hell. It’s a life of passion.
As I mentioned last week, the true follower lives for something other than himself. He lives not for his comfort, his healing, his entertainment, his happiness. He lives for Christ.
Colossians 1:27 (ESV) 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
It is a life that is lived with a holy passion for something greater than his or her self. If all we have is a passion for that which is temporal, fleeting, or self-gratifying, we will have nothing but short-lived happiness and in the end, emptiness. We were created to live for something greater than ourselves. It is the imprimatur of the “image of God” (Genesis 1:26-27).
God sent His Son to the cross not to just save us from the consequences of sin, or ourselves. Jesus endured the cross because of an incomprehensible love of God (John 3:13; 1 John 3:16) that is lavished (Ephesians 1:7-8) on us that He might have a people who would love and worship and love Him. He saved us for His purposes (Ephesians 1:1,8,11), not ours. We were not saved to “have our best lives now.” God the Father, in eternity past, purposed to send His Son for much loftier purposes which will extend into eternity.
This is why Paul would exclaim;
Philippians 1:21 (ESV) 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 3:7 (ESV) 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Colossians 1:27 (ESV) 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
A Gospel Passion
Did you hear Paul? “For me to live is Christ…” Man’s desire to live for something beyond himself will find that satisfaction in this life in the Gospel. There is nothing more rewarding and satisfying than seeing the result of the Gospel that produces new birth in someone you have shared it with. Paul expressed that passion, that drive, as he spoke of how Christ’s love for Jesus “compelled,” “controlled,” his life’s purpose.
2 Corinthians 5:14 (ESV) 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;
What Christ had done for him, “the worst of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) was judged by him to be beyond himself in magnificent grace. It was an action of love by God that drove his whole life. The proclamation of the Gospel, like the other apostles, became his life. He pursued it and it was the passion of his life.
Philippians 3:8 (ESV) 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
A Passion for Christ
This means that we are wrapped up in a passion of Christ. It’s a passionate love that is immersed in the person of Christ. It is in the new birth, and regeneration by the Spirit of God, our nature is changed. Our desires are changed. Where we had once walked in our own lusts and passions (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:5) we now walk seeking to know Christ, our new love, and passion.
When we talk about “dying daily,” living the crucified life, and other terms of self-denial in discipleship, we are also expressing our repentance from sin and a self-indulged life that is replaced but a new passion that looks beyond ourselves, and joyously revels in the Gospel and runs after Christ with a new found love that is single-minded and is passionate about bringing Christ glory.
-Michael Holtzinger
Helpful Resources:
Don’t Waste Your Life
By: John Piper
Magnificent Obsession
By: David Robertson